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Indonesian Cities Empty for End of Muslim Holy Month
Niniek Karmini | September 09, 2010

A young girl looks out a window of a packed train leaving from Senen station in Jakarta to East Java. The mass exodus out of the capital and other major cities in the country is underway as thousands are heading home to celebrate Idul Fitri. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) A young girl looks out a window of a packed train leaving from Senen station in Jakarta to East Java. The mass exodus out of the capital and other major cities in the country is underway as thousands are heading home to celebrate Idul Fitri. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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mns_ent
1:03pm Sep 12, 2010

OK. This is very strange indeed. All news are dated either Sept 8 or Sept 9. Nothing later?

Jakarta Globe should also hire reporters of other religions, as well as some atheist and agnostics. This is ridiculous that the delivery of news stop, while the world definitely does not!

peterR
7:11am Sep 11, 2010

The press never sleeps, except in Indonesia. News stops for Idul Fitri, or at least it does at the Jakarta Globe.

kales
8:28am Sep 10, 2010

I hope all Muslim Indonesians have a safe and wonderful Eid and enjoy the holiday.

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Jakarta. Millions of Indonesians crammed into trains, ferries and in greater numbers than ever, motorcycles, as they poured out of major cities to return to their villages to celebrate the end of the Islamic holy month with families.

The annual mass exodus, which always leaves the country’s overburdened and poorly maintained transportation systems bursting at the seams, resulted in massive traffic jams and the ever-growing threat of road accidents.

Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus stations for journeys that can take days.

“It’s going to be exhausting,” said Sri Maryati, a 21-year-old waitress, as she waited Wednesday with five friends to go to East Java province. “We’re going to be hot, cramped, uncomfortable. But still, I can’t wait. I just want to get home.”

Indonesia, with a population of nearly 240 million, has more Muslims than any other country in the world.

Around 30 million travelers were expected to crisscross the vast archipelago that spans 17,000 islands for Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month, Ramadan.
 
Many are construction workers, field laborers and others who earn less than $200 a month, but eagerly spend their savings on the trip.

Half are from major cities, like Jakarta, which turn into virtual ghost towns. Without the help of maids, drivers and other members of their domestic staff, many of the capital’s well-to-do opt to spend the week in hotels.

The exodus, or “mudik,” peaked on Wednesday.
 
In an effort to reduce road accidents, which kill hundreds every year, the government has urged travelers to avoid making the long, exhausting journey by motorcycle.

But with so many people struggling financially, the motorcycle has turned into the vehicle of choice for nearly 7 million people this year, Transportation Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said.

“What else can I do?” asked Maman Abdurrachman, 35, as he and his wife and 5-year-old son prepared to go to Cirebon. Plastic bags stuffed with food and presents hung from his bike, and a wooden board extended from the seat to fit extra baggage.

“This is the cheap way to go,” the factory worker said. “And it’s efficient ... we can avoid some of the traffic this way.”


Associated Press