JAKARTA \u2014 Indonesia\u2019s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali has\nexpressed hope that the free homecoming programme routes using\nIndonesian Navy vessels (KRI) can be expanded next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cYear by year, we will continue to increase this. Hopefully, next\nyear we will be able to add routes for both the outbound mudik and\nreturn journeys using Navy vessels. That is our hope,\u201d said Admiral\nMuhammad Ali during a press conference after seeing off thousands of\npassengers using KRI Banda Aceh at the Kolinlamil Wharf in Tanjung\nPriok, North Jakarta, on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.<\/p>\n
This year, the Navy is operating two main free homecoming routes\nusing KRI. The first is KRI Semarang, which serves the Jakarta to Bangka\nBelitung route. The second is KRI Banda Aceh, sailing from Jakarta to\nSemarang and Surabaya. Admiral Ali stated that all routes will also\nserve return journeys to Jakarta after the Eid al-Fitr period.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, we have buses prepared by the Navy, with 110 buses\nfrom all Navy commands in Jakarta heading to Central Java and East\nJava,\u201d said the Navy Chief.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the outset, we have had to provide comfort and security for\nIndonesian people who are going home for Eid al-Fitr. It is our\nobligation as part of the government and the state to provide something\nthat ensures comfort and safety for our people to return to their\nvillages,\u201d stated Djamari.<\/p>\n
He explained that security measures are conducted comprehensively\nfrom the capital to the destinations, involving Navy personnel and\nmilitary equipment.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Zakat Board (Baznas) Sodik\nMudjahid said his organisation is supporting the programme by providing\nmeals for the homecoming travellers. Approximately 1,400 passengers\nreceived meal facilities during their outbound and return journeys, as\nwell as gifts for the ship\u2019s crew.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is provided, in addition to maritime vessel facilities, is also\nmeal provision for two sets of three days, so for the round trip,\u201d said\nSodik.<\/p>\n
It is recorded that approximately 1,300\u20131,400 passengers were\ndispatched in this programme, including motorcycles owned by the\ntravellers that were also transported on the vessels.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/navy-chief-hopes-to-expand-free-homecoming-programme-using-military-vessels-1773723181", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }