Businesses Criticize Ineffective Merak-Bakauheni Crossing Regulations During Holiday Season

Logistics Industry Voices Concerns Over Current Policies

The current regulations implemented for the Merak-Bakauheni crossing during the holiday season have faced severe criticism from businesses, particularly those in the logistics sector. Khoiri Soetomo, Chairman of Gabungan Pengusaha Nasional Angkutan Sungai, Danau, dan Penyeberangan (Gapasdap), highlighted that the existing measures are not only ineffective in solving congestion but also adversely affect the logistics industry.

The Problem of Congestion Displacement

According to Khoiri, the policies currently in place do not address the root cause of congestion but rather shift the problem to other locations. He pointed out that these areas often lack the necessary infrastructure to handle the displaced traffic, thereby creating new bottlenecks. This approach, he argued, is not a solution but merely a temporary fix that masks the real issues.

Logistics: The Lifeblood of the National Economy

Khoiri emphasized the critical role that logistics plays in the national economy, describing it as the lifeblood that keeps the economic machinery running. He stressed that treating logistics as a burden to achieve a superficially smooth traffic flow is counterproductive and harmful to the overall economic health. The focus, he suggested, should be on creating a balanced and sustainable solution that considers the needs of all stakeholders involved.

Need for Flexible and Effective Regulations

The business community is calling for regulations that are more flexible and responsive to the needs on the ground. There is a growing consensus that the current one-size-fits-all approach is not working and that a more nuanced strategy is required. This would involve better coordination between relevant authorities and stakeholders to develop solutions that address the root causes of congestion without negatively impacting the logistics industry.