Free Homecoming Programme by PB IKA PMII Swamped by Registrants
The Central Board of the Alumni Association of the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PB IKA PMII), through the National Self-Reliance Movement (Gerakin), has opened a free homecoming service ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The programme has received an extraordinary response from the public, with registrations overwhelming since applications opened.
Muhamad Nur Purnamasidi, Secretary General of PB IKA PMII, stated that whilst Gerakin has not yet maximised the management of zakat, alms, and charitable donations during this Ramadan, PB IKA PMII continues to present social programmes that directly reach communities through the provision of free homecoming services.
“We have prepared a free homecoming programme for routes in Java and Sumatra, and it turns out the registrations have been overwhelming,” said Purnamasidi in Jakarta on Friday 13 March.
During Ramadan, PB IKA PMII has also conducted a series of activities, ranging from a National Leadership Meeting in Jakarta, breaking of fast together at homes and the PB IKA PMII office, to early morning meal activities on the road involving many figures, alumni, and activists. The Gerakin coordinator for the Sumatra region, Trio Pambudi, revealed that the high public interest has forced the committee to increase the bus fleet being prepared.
“The enthusiasm from friends and relatives is very high. Initially we only prepared around 4 to 6 buses, but as registrations continue to increase, the total fleet we have prepared has now become 8 buses,” said Trio.
A similar situation was also reported by Sunan, the special coordinator for the Madura route. He admitted being overwhelmed by the high number of registrants wanting to return to their hometowns through the programme.
“For the Madura route, we are already struggling. Many registrants have not been accommodated, so we have asked PB IKA PMII to seek additional buses, especially for the Madura route,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sandi Suwardi Hasan, Chief Executive of Gerakin, emphasised that this free homecoming programme is open to the general public. However, PMII friends and the wider Nahdliyyin family remain a priority.
“This homecoming programme is open to the public, but PMII friends and the Nahdliyyin family remain a priority,” said Sandi.
He added that the committee is currently facing challenges in finding additional bus fleets. This is due to increased vehicle demand ahead of the Eid al-Fitr homecoming season.
“The committee is beginning to struggle to find additional fleets because the aroma of the Eid homecoming season is already being felt. Many people are concerned about potential traffic congestion and the depletion of public transport tickets,” he explained.
In future, Sandi continued, Gerakin will also begin managing zakat, alms, and charitable donations more structurally. Currently, the licensing process from the Ministry of Religious Affairs is underway and is expected to be issued soon after all requirements are met.
“Once permission from the Ministry of Religious Affairs is issued, Gerakin will in future manage zakat, alms, and charitable donations more optimally. Scholarship programmes and various other social activities will also be developed,” he said.
In this year’s free homecoming programme, PB IKA PMII has opened registration to various destination cities on Java Island, Madura, and Sumatra, such as Lampung, Padang, and Medan. Meanwhile, for Java routes, the free homecoming buses will serve journeys from Jakarta to Semarang, Surabaya, Malang, Yogyakarta, and Solo.
With the high public enthusiasm, this programme is expected to help migrants return to their hometowns more safely, comfortably, and without cost, whilst strengthening solidarity amongst PMII alumni and the wider public ahead of Eid al-Fitr.