Bulog Director Instructs Drivers to Stop if Drowsy Following Free Homecoming Journey Dispatch
Jakarta, KOMPAS.com — Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, Director General of PT Perum Bulog, has instructed drivers transporting 709 free homecoming programme participants to halt driving immediately if they experience drowsiness whilst at the wheel.
Ramdhani issued this directive whilst overseeing the departure of 14 buses carrying free homecoming passengers from Bulog’s office in South Jakarta on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
“Drivers must not drive while drowsy; if they become drowsy, they must stop immediately and the standby driver will take over,” Ramdhani stated at Bulog’s Jakarta headquarters.
Ramdhani emphasised the importance of driver vigilance regarding passenger safety and security.
“There must be no more and no fewer. If there are extra passengers, they will be recorded separately,” he added in jest.
The buses will transport migrant workers from the capital to various destinations including Palembang, Lampung, Purwokerto, Cilacap, Yogyakarta, and several cities in East Java.
“Destinations range from Palembang to the eastern tip of Java,” Ramdhani explained.
The former Lieutenant General of the Indonesian Army noted that this programme represents the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on workers seeking livelihoods in the capital.
According to him, the free homecoming scheme includes Bulog warehouse workers, mosque administrators, university students, teachers, children, and other students.
The free homecoming quota was exhausted within just two hours of its official opening several weeks ago.
“Several of our staff members are directly accompanying the journey to ensure vehicles travel safely, smoothly, and reach their intended destinations,” Ramdhani said.
The state-owned enterprises (BUMN) have resumed offering free homecoming trips in 2026. This year, the number of homebound travellers dispatched has reached 116,688 people, exceeding the initial target of 104,000.
Muhammad Awaluddin, Director General of PT Jasa Raharja, stated that this figure demonstrates exceptionally high public interest in the government’s free homecoming programme.
“This demonstrates the public’s strong enthusiasm for the BUMN free homecoming programme,” Awaluddin said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The public will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on 20 and 21 March, with the government predicting the peak homecoming exodus will occur on 18 March.