By: Ivan Adrian )*
The government continues to strive to ensure the security and smoothness of the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year celebrations. As a country with diverse cultures, religions, and traditions, Indonesia has its own challenges in maintaining order and safety during major celebrations such as Christmas and New Year (Nataru). To that end, the government is encouraging cross-sector collaboration involving various parties, both from government agencies, security forces, the private sector, and the community. This collaboration is expected to create a safe, comfortable, and conducive atmosphere for all levels of society.
This cross-sector collaboration is very important to anticipate potential problems that may arise during the long holiday. For example, the police, TNI, and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) play an active role in maintaining order and preventing security disturbances. The police will strengthen security at vulnerable points such as shopping centers, places of worship, and tourist attractions. Meanwhile, the TNI will be ready to provide assistance in terms of security in areas that need it, especially in areas that are prone to natural disasters or security disturbances.
President Prabowo Subianto reminded the ranks across ministries to law enforcement officers to prepare the Nataru celebrations as best as possible. The President is confident that his ranks will be able to carry out all preparations as well as possible. The President also wants all his ranks to assure the public that they will be able to face the new year safely, orderly and smoothly.
In addition, the government also collaborates with transportation and logistics companies to ensure the smooth flow of homecoming and distribution of goods during the holiday period. This cooperation is very important, considering the high mobility of people who want to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families.
Transportation companies such as PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, and online transportation providers, work together to arrange departure schedules and the availability of seats or other transportation facilities so that there is no accumulation of passengers which could potentially cause crowds and safety problems.
EVP of Corporate Secretary KAI, Raden Agus Dwinanto Budiadji, said that KAI made security one of its focuses in welcoming the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year transportation period. Raden also explained that in recent times his party has continued to conduct checks as part of the ramp check at a number of railway rail points covering Cikampek to Cirebon so that it is predicted that it will hamper the journey.
Not only that, the health sector is also not spared attention. The government encourages collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Health Office in the regions to ensure that health facilities are ready to serve the needs of the community during the Christmas and New Year period. Hospitals, health centers, and health clinics will be on standby, including facilities to handle emergencies or accidents that may occur during the celebration. No less important, the government also reminds the importance of maintaining health by consuming nutritious food, exercising, and complying with health protocols if necessary.
It is important to note that efforts to create a safe and conducive situation during Christmas and New Year do not only depend on the government and authorities, but also require the active role of the community. This collaboration includes the role of the community in complying with various regulations and directives given by the government and security forces. The community is urged to be more disciplined in complying with traffic rules, avoiding risky behavior, and maintaining order in public places. In addition, the community is also asked to maintain personal and family security, especially when visiting crowded places.
Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal TNI Kusworo, said that Basarnas is strengthening public travel security for the Nataru holiday period throughout Indonesia, which is specifically carried out on the island of Java. His party will fully operate all of its resources with a total of 81 ships, six helicopter fleets, and even involve as many as 21 thousand officers consisting of Basarnas personnel and other trained SAR potential elements throughout Indonesia.
In addition, to support the smooth running of economic activities during Christmas and New Year, the government also facilitates small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to market their products well. This includes efforts to create spaces for SMEs to access wider markets through various digital platforms or through traditional markets prepared by the government. The existence of local products is also a special attraction for people who want to celebrate Christmas and New Year by buying regional specialties.
The government’s efforts to encourage cross-sector collaboration to ensure the safety and smoothness of Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 reflect a commitment to creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere for all levels of society. By involving many parties and maximizing cooperation between sectors, it is hoped that this year-end celebration can run smoothly without any significant disruptions. The government, private sector, and society must unite to create an atmosphere full of happiness, security, and comfort for all Indonesian people.
)* The author is a contributor to tigadetik.id