625 East Javanese Migrants in Badung Return Home Free of Charge from Puspem
A total of 625 residents from East Java who work as migrants in Badung Regency were able to return home without incurring travel costs. They were sent on free homecoming travel from the Badung government centre (Puspem) using 15 buses on Saturday, 14 March 2026 in the late afternoon.
Hundreds of returning travellers departed around 4.00 p.m. Wita towards several cities in East Java. Destinations included Banyuwangi, Probolinggo, Jember, Lumajang, Situbondo, Malang and Surabaya. Malang and Surabaya became the most distant destinations in the free homecoming programme facilitated by Badung Regency this year.
“There are 625 people being sent off with 15 buses. Hopefully this will at least ease the burden on our Muslim brethren here in Badung,” said Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa.
The free homecoming programme was organised by the Muslim Civil Servants Communication Forum Foundation and received support from Badung Regency Government. Programme participants took advantage of the facilities to return home without having to incur transport costs.
In addition to providing homecoming transport, Badung Regency also distributed Eid holiday financial assistance to Muslims. The assistance was distributed at Rp 2 million per household (KK).
“The Rp 2 million assistance is based on households; if I’m not mistaken, around 6,518 Muslim households received assistance. This demonstrates how the government pays attention to maintaining religious harmony,” he said, explaining the assistance policy.
Santi, one of Badung resident originally from Surabaya, expressed joy at being able to participate in the free homecoming programme. She said the facility greatly helped reduce the costs of travelling home.
“I only travelled with my husband. I was heading to Surabaya. It really helps because homecoming costs, especially transport tickets, are quite significant, particularly for residents and other friends who perhaps have middle-level incomes; it provides real help,” she said.