Safe and Comfortable while Homecoming; Mudik!
Homecoming or mudik is a tradition of Indonesian society. Homecoming means returning to one's hometown during the Eid al-Fitr holiday to meet one's parents, family, or relatives. The implementation of homecoming in Indonesia takes place on a large scale involving hundreds of millions of people.
Although the implementation of homecoming in Aceh is not as big and as exciting as in Java, the moment is still celebrated by the community. The mobility of people from outside Aceh or vice versa or between cities between districts in Aceh, still occurs and this requires preparation from the government and the travelers themselves.
According to data from the Aceh Provincial Transportation Service, in 2023, 257,889 people were recorded as traveling by public transportation during homecoming in the eight days before and after Eid. This year it could increase or even decrease due to various reasons, especially changing economic and social conditions.
A survey by the Aceh Provincial Transportation Service detailed that the potential for community movement during the 2025 Eid holiday is estimated to reach 79.6 percent, with private cars being the main mode of transportation at 37.3 percent. The figure is very fluctuating considering that the number of travelers has often exceeded survey estimates.
This year's homecoming in Aceh should be safer and more comfortable because the toll roads in Aceh are getting longer. The Sigli - Banda Aceh toll road or Sibanceh Section 1 connecting Padang Tiji - Seulimuen, has been opened since March 20, 2025. This 25.68 kilometer toll road will make the travel time from Sigili to Banda Aceh City 1.5 hours from the previous 2.5 hours.
Various supporting facilities should have been prepared well in advance, including improvements to transportation infrastructure. Cross-country roads in various districts and cities must be adequate to provide comfort for travelers. In this case, it seems that the previous government was late in anticipating.
The Medan - Banda Aceh road section in the East Aceh, North Aceh, Lhokseumawe, and Bireuen areas, for example, is already full of holes. Some of them are very dangerous for road users and have often claimed lives, such as a mother who fell into a hole on the Medan - Banda Aceh route in the Lhokseumawe area. After falling into the hole, she was thrown from her motorbike and was crushed to death by a passing truck.
Meanwhile, in several other districts and cities, large-scale infrastructure repairs are underway, disrupting the smoothness and comfort of travelers. The Transportation Agency and related agencies must provide sufficient information to road users.
Readiness to serve travelers is also seen in the security aspect. The Head of the Aceh Police, Inspector General Achmad Kartiko, said that there were 3,163 police personnel tasked with securing Operation Ketupat Seulawah 2025. This homecoming security not only involves police members, but is also supported by the TNI and related task forces.
The government predicts that the peak of the homecoming flow will occur on March 28-30, 2025. Meanwhile, the peak of the return flow is estimated to occur on April 5-7, 2025. Based on a survey by the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, the potential for community movement during Eid 2025 reaches 52 percent of the total population of Indonesia or equivalent to 146.48 million people.
Travelers must also prepare themselves well before making the homecoming trip. Thorough preparation makes the trip run smoothly because various needs have been prepared from the start and various travel obstacles can be anticipated.[]
