Accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, Naval Chief Sends Off Thousands of Free Migrant Travellers on KRI Banda Aceh
Jakarta — The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy (KSAL), Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali, sent off thousands of migrant travellers in a free homecoming programme using the naval ship KRI Banda Aceh at the Kolinlamil Wharf, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Tuesday (17 March 2026) morning.
The send-off was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago.
The KSAL stated that the free homecoming programme using TNI naval warships is an annual routine activity aimed at helping citizens return to their hometowns safely and comfortably during Eid al-Fitr.
“Today we are dispatching the KRI Banda Aceh ship heading to Semarang and Surabaya. Later there will also be a return flow from Surabaya to Semarang and to Jakarta,” said the KSAL at a press conference at the Kolinlamil Wharf on Tuesday.
He noted that in addition to KRI Banda Aceh, the TNI Navy had previously also operated KRI Semarang to serve the Jakarta to Bangka Belitung route.
All of these vessels are also being prepared to serve the return journey to Jakarta.
According to Ali, public interest in this programme continues to increase every year.
Consequently, the TNI Navy is committed to adding routes and transport capacity in the future.
On the same occasion, Djamari emphasised that the government continues to oversee the implementation of the homecoming programme to ensure it runs safely and smoothly.
He stated that the involvement of the TNI and its main weapons systems is part of the state’s efforts to provide maximum service to the public.
This free homecoming programme also involves various parties, including the National Zakat Amil Body (Baznas), which provides logistical support for migrants during their journey.
Approximately 1,300-1,400 passengers were sent off in this programme, including motorcycles belonging to migrants which were also transported using the ship.
In addition to warships, the TNI Navy also prepared approximately 110 buses to help transport migrants to various areas in Central Java and East Java.