[Unpad.ac.id, 30/06/2016] In Mudik (homecoming) phenomenon, increasing economic growth occurred, even spreading to the countryside where increase in public demand for goods and services happened. Despite the fear of inflation, social benefits arising from mudik was much larger than the social cost of inflation itself.
“Mudik needs to continue with better management because its social benefit is larger compared to its social cost of inflation,” said Lecturer of Economic Development Faculty of Economics and Business Unpad, Dr. Ferry Hadiyanto, SE., MA in Unpad Responding with theme of “Mudik, Between Tradition and Contemporary” in Executive Lounge Unpad, Jln. Dipati Ukur No. 35 Bandung, Thursday (30/06).
From economy perspective, Dr. Ferry said that mudik was part of society wealth exposure since those who conducted mudik try to flaunt their level of wealth to their family in their home town, by bringing vehicles, loads of cash, or the newest gadget. With the increase of mudik number, it could decrease poverty number.
“In the process, mudik is not about flaunting poverty, but wealth,” said Dr, Ferry.
Other speakers, Professor of Faculty of Arts Unpad, Prof. Dr. Dadang Suganda, M.Hum said that in Indonesia mudik is a culture and human needs. Mudik tradition existed because of family relation that has created culture based on three aspects of biological, spiritual, and social.
“Going home, in addition to culture, also meets the basic of human needs. With mudik, it is a self-actualization beyond a successful businessman, returned to his hometown proudly, and received appreciation from the local community. It would be very encouraging, perhaps extending the life,” he said.
Meanwhile, Professor of FPIPS Indonesian Education University, Prof. Dr. Elly Malihah, M.Si said that mudik is a social capital. “Mudik with all of its dynamics possessed potentials if managed properly. It could become social capital to build a society in the midst of the turmoil of modernity,” she said.
Because mudik is a tradition rooted in the community, it can foster positive attitudes such as solidarity, patience, prudence, attitude sharing, and so on. In addition, mudik is identified with the returning home and can be interpreted as a human introspection of going back to the hereafter.
On the occasion, Head of Department of Transportation West Java Province, Dr. H. Taufik Dedi, M.Si expressed their readiness of providing safe, comfortable, and adequate amount of Eid transport. Their priorities at the moment are the increase in transport fleets, road check, and free trip. In addition, it is also done excellent service optimization and improvement of facilities. *
Reported by Artanti Hendriyana / eh
