Central Java Governor Urges Returning Migrants Not to Bring Unprepared Friends Back to Jakarta
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has dispatched 19,870 participants in the 2026 Free Eid Exodus programme from Jakarta to Central Java. During the departure ceremony, Luthfi conveyed a message to returning migrants, urging them not to bring friends back to Jakarta unless they have secured employment prospects.
“When returning to Jakarta, there is no need to bring friends if employment is not certain,” Luthfi said whilst addressing the exodus participants at the Museum Purna Bhakti Pertiwi in Jakarta’s Taman Mini Indonesia Indah complex on Monday (16 March 2026).
Luthfi stated that the Central Java provincial government has already prepared employment opportunities for its residents, eliminating the need to relocate to Jakarta without secured employment. He expressed reluctance to burden Jakarta’s administration with Central Java residents unable to secure work in the capital.
“Work in your hometown with me, yes? Whatever it is, it does not matter. I will find work for you later. Instead of going to Jakarta, you may not secure employment. There is no need to bring friends. We do not wish to burden Jakarta, particularly East Jakarta, for those who are not prepared to work,” Luthfi explained.
He clarified that the Central Java provincial government has established various programmes to prepare residents for employment in the available positions. He confirmed that he has instructed regents and mayors to prepare employment opportunities for their respective residents.
“Central Java has prepared vocational training centres, vocational education, and other facilities. The Social Services Department and the Manpower Department are ready. We work within Central Java itself. For those in regencies and municipalities, the regents and mayors have prepared and are ready to receive them,” he added.
The dispatch of the 2026 Free Eid Exodus participants was conducted directly by Luthfi, marked with a flag-off ceremony. The release of exodus participants occurred at 10:00 Western Indonesia Time at Museum Purna Bhakti Pertiwi in Jakarta’s Taman Mini Indonesia Indah complex.
“In the name of Allah the Compassionate and Merciful, this free Eid exodus of 325 buses will enter Central Java territory; may they arrive safely at their destinations,” Luthfi said during the dispatch.
In addition to Jakarta, Luthfi mentioned that the free Eid exodus from the Central Java provincial government was also conducted today in Bandung. He also stated that the Central Java provincial government is providing free Eid exodus using railway transport.
The Central Java free exodus programme represents a collaboration between the provincial government, Bank Jateng, and several agencies, with 325 buses provided free of charge. Luthfi stated that these buses will transport migrants to various cities and regencies across Central Java.
“So today we are carrying out the free exodus programme of the Central Java provincial government, participated by 35 regencies and municipalities, which is supported by Baznas (the National Zakat Agency), Bank Jateng, and even Aqua has participated,” Luthfi explained.
“This represents a collaboration where our exodus programme is a manifestation of the state’s presence to facilitate and accelerate population movement,” he added.
He explained that the exodus participants are Central Java residents who are informal workers in the Greater Jakarta area. He expressed hope that the programme would help Central Java residents reunite with their families during Eid.