A Pelni passenger vessel berths at port as Pelni becomes operator of the Lebaran 2026 free mudik programme for Batam residents
Programme for free mudik for Batam residents is being held again ahead of Idul Fitri 2026. This year, two sponsors have allocated a total of 450 sea-faring seats to help people return to their hometowns at no travel cost.
Edwin Kurniansyah, head of Pelni Batam Branch, said the two programmes have been confirmed in partnership with PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) as the shipping operator.
The first programme comes from Persero Batam, which provides 250 seats on the Batam–Belawan route. The departure is scheduled for 16 March 2026 on KM Kelud.
Next, Telkomsel provides 200 seats for travellers bound for Batam–Tanjung Priok, scheduled to depart on 18 March 2026.
He explained that for the 16 March sailing to Belawan 250 seats were prepared by Persero Batam. Meanwhile, the 18 March departure to Tanjung Priok is facilitated by Telkomsel with a quota of 200 passengers. In total, the number of free mudik tickets available this year amounts to 450 seats; Pelni’s role is solely as a transport service provider. The process of data collection, selection, and determination of participants is wholly conducted by each sponsor.
‘Booking and participant data are handled by the sponsors. We only print the tickets after the passenger roster is handed to us,’ he said when contacted by reporters on Thursday (5/3).
The programme is open to Indonesian citizens (WNI). Each family is allowed to register up to five people by attaching a Family Card (KK). Participants must not be registered for any other free mudik programme organised by state-owned enterprises or government agencies.
For the Persero Batam programme, registration has been open since 18 February 2026 online via the link provided by the committee and will automatically close when quotas are filled.
Prospective participants are urged to coordinate with the sponsors to avoid missing out on quotas, given the high public enthusiasm for the free mudik scheme ahead of Lebaran each year.
‘Because quotas are limited, prospective participants should register early and ensure data matches official identity documents,’ he added. (H-2)
Gapasdap also notes that to date the cross‑water transport industry has not enjoyed the same flexibility in economic policy as other modes of transport.
KAI Wisata is optimising premium service capacity to ensure mudik journeys are safe, comfortable, and offer a higher-quality experience.
Kemenhub is implementing a delaying system and establishing buffer zones at Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, and Gilimanuk ports to anticipate congestion during the Lebaran 2026 mudik and balik flows.
The government is accelerating road infrastructure repairs along strategic routes on the North Coast (Pantura) up to the Trans-Java Toll to ensure smooth mudik flows in 2026.
These steps are being taken to prepare for increased frequency of train journeys and customers during the Lebaran transport period.
In Batam, markets such as Pasar Aviari Batu Aji, Pasar Mitra Raya Batam Center, and Pasar Sagulung show cooking oil at around Rp16,000 per litre. At Pasar Tiban Center, 5 kg packaged rice is around Rp85,000, 10 kg around Rp155,000, and 25 kg about Rp350,000.
Frozen beef now averages above Rp110,000 per kilogram, up sharply from the typical Rp80,000–Rp90,000 per kilogram.
Batam is forecast to be generally cloudy on Friday, 27 February 2026. While the morning is relatively clear and cloudy, rain may fall in the afternoon.
Constitutional Court judge Suhartoyo has highlighted the fragmentation of law-enforcement powers at sea in a hearing on the Maritime Law. Expert Soleman B. Ponto assessed Bakamla’s powers to arrest.