Seasick Pelni
The disasters seem to happen almost yearly, and almost always when thousands of people travel home for the major holidays. Ships are the most popular mode of transportation for the middle and lower income population, particularly in eastern Indonesia. The price is right, the passage easily available. Sadly, many of these ships are in appalling condition—bad sanitation, cramped conditions and unreliable safety measures. How will PT Pelni, the state-owned shipping company, prepare for the onslaught of the coming Idul Fitri exodus? An exclusive report by Tempo English Edition from Makassar and Ambon.
September 8, 2010
NURSYAMSIAH Wear embarked on the Ciremai ship in the afternoon of 26 August. She was heading from Fak-Fak, West Papua, to Ambon. The 48-year-old woman chose to travel by ship for a specific reason.“I can bring many things for my relatives and parents-in-law,” she said.
More luggage space and relatively cheaper costs are the main reasons why people choose to travel by ship. And PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) passenger ships—even t
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