Baznas RI and Indonesian Navy Transport 1,448 Returnees with Warship
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI, together with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), transported 1,448 mudik participants along with 503 motorcycles using the Republic of Indonesia Warship (KRI) Banda Aceh-593 to Semarang and Surabaya on Tuesday (17/3).
Baznas RI Chairman Sodik Mudjahid, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, said that the cooperation with the Indonesian Navy in this Free Mudik programme is being carried out again as an effort to assist the public in returning home, particularly for those in need.
“Baznas is once again collaborating with the Indonesian Navy using a sea vessel (warship), with around 1,448 people being transported for a round trip,” he said.
For now, he explained, the sailing route is still focused on Java island regions, namely Semarang and Surabaya. Nevertheless, Baznas plans to expand the programme’s reach to other regions in the future.
“We hope that next year the routes will not only be to Java, but also to Sumatra and other areas,” he stated.
Sodik explained that Baznas provides various facilities for the mudik participants, from meals during the journey, gifts for the ship crew, to health service support to ensure the trip runs safely and comfortably.
He said the mudik participants come from various backgrounds, from housewives, ojek drivers, domestic assistants, students, to traders.
Sodik expressed appreciation for the synergy established with the Indonesian Navy in improving service quality to the public.
He invited the public to continue supporting the zakat programme through Baznas.
On the same occasion, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago emphasised that the government continues to oversee the implementation of mudik to ensure it runs safely and comfortably for the public.
“From the beginning, we must provide comfort and security for Indonesians who will return home for mudik. It is our duty as part of this government, this state, to provide something that comforts and secures our people in returning home, mudik for Eid al-Fitr,” said Djamari.
According to him, the use of KRI as a mudik transportation mode can help reduce traffic density and accident risks on land routes, especially from Jakarta to Central Java and East Java.
The Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali said this free mudik programme is a follow-up to the directive from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in the Full Cabinet Meeting on 13 March 2026 to help smooth the Eid al-Fitr mudik for 1447 H/2026 AD.
“We want to provide something that makes the public comfortable and safe when returning home. This is a form of the government’s care for the people,” Ali stated.