Bracing to Assist Travelers

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Agus Suprianto

As millions of citizens celebrated Lebaran, a number of people kept working to stay on the alert. These were the people who made sure that everyone else could mark that celebratory day in safety and comfort.

Agus Suprianto, 40, missed his family. On Monday morning (6/18/2018), the head of Group C, Menteng Sector III of the Central Jakarta Firefighting and Disaster Management Agency expressed his frustration. Agus was unable to celebrate Idul Fitri yet again with his extended family in Kuningan, West Java.

"As a firefighter for the last 13 years, the last time I was able to celebrate Idul Fitri with my extended family was six years ago," said Agus, who lives in Tangerang, Banten.

Despite feeling sad, Agus is proud to serve the public during Lebaran. Agus said that during Lebaran, many Jakarta residents left their homes to return to their hometowns. Fires frequently broke out because the houses were empty. For example, during takbiran (a parade marking the end of Ramadhan) on the eve of Lebara, a fire broke out on Jl. Menteng Tenggulun, Central Jakarta, when a gas canister exploded while the resident was cooking.

Agus rushed out immediately with his team to secure the residents and houses nearby. The fire was extinguished in about 10 minutes. "The entire team must be ready in all circumstances, so we have to keep watch for 24 hours," he said.

In contrast to Agus, Wisnu Prabangkara, 37, the head of the Quick Response Team of Tebet Sector VI of the South Jakarta Firefighting and Disaster Management Agency, was happy. "Alhamdulillah, this year I can celebrate Lebaran with my family," said the father of four, who has been a firefighter for 14 years. Last year, Wisnu could not celebrate Lebaran with his family because he was working. However, his children and wife understand his responsibilities as a firefighter.

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Wisnu Prabangkara

Toll road officers

Toll road officers are also willing to be away family reunions on the big day to fulfill their professional responsibilities. Kompas spoke with several such officers at the Cikarang Utama tollgate in Bekasi, West Java.

Susanto, 29, and Winda Junianti, 29, said their responsibility to the public overcame their longing to be with family. However, they still experienced the warmth of Idul Fitri, as the officers of the Cikarang Utama tollgate maintain the spiritual tradition of asking for forgiveness during the holiday.

Their fatigue from being on duty during Lebaran also evaporated whenever the motorists spoke the Idul Fitri greeting, accompanied with a broad smile, as they passed through the tollgate.

"Several toll road users also gave us gifts, such as cakes. We even once received an Idul Fitri greeting card. It was simple, but very meaningful. We are also happy to help those who wanted to make it home for their family reunions," said Imam.

Meanwhile, Risandi Dwiki, 26, works at the Cikarang Utama tollgate, also in Bekasi, West Java. He has not celebrated Lebaran with his family in Surabaya, East Java, for the past eight years. " I missed Lebaran again this year, as I was assigned to the first shift. So, during the Lebaran celebration, I was on duty guarding the tollgate," said Risandi on Monday. The first shift runs from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

While speaking with Kompas at the tollgate, Risandi ventured out several times to help drivers who were having problems inserting their e-Toll card into the automated toll card reader. Immediate assistance ensured that the toll road traffic would continue to flow smoothly.

"During Lebaran, my extended family usually gather together and ask for mutual forgiveness. I’m usually not there for that. Sometimes I am disappointed, but this duty cannot be abandoned in order to serve the public," said Risandi, the second of three siblings.

Because he is usually not able to join his family over Lebaran, Risandi always made sure to call his parents and relatives to convey his Idul Fitri greeting and ask for forgiveness.

"I can usually get back to Surabaya after the influx of returning Lebaran travelers. However, I’ve decided not to go home the past two years. I have plans to marry this year, so I have to save up," he said.

KOMPAS/ADITYA PUTRA PERDANA

Several vehicles queue up at the Cikarang tollgate on Thursday morning (14/6/2018). Toll road traffic was smoother on the eve of Lebaran than on previous days.

Fuel supplies

The attendants responsible for distributing fuel to maintain the smooth flow of mudik (exodus) and the return travel also had a similar experience. They braced themselves for their jobs and temporarily sacrificed their time with family.

"No personnel went on holiday during Lebaran, the same as last year. We want to make sure the mudik travel season is successful for the people going back to their hometowns," Fachrizal Imanuddin, who works at in retail field marketing at Pertamina\'s Rayon IV, said last Sunday in Pekalongan, Central Java.

Agung Supriyadi, the head of the Pertamax fuel kiosk at the Kilometer Marker 252 rest area on the Pejagan-Pemalang toll road in Central Java, said he understood the personal sacrifices he had to make in his job. "We are ready to serve the travelers, even if we cannot join the mudik season ourselves," he said.

(PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO, ADITYA PUTRAPERDANA, JUMARTO YULIANUS)