Free Homecoming Programme Surges with Public Uptake, Central Java Emerges as Top Destination

Homecoming is an annual tradition inseparable from Eid celebrations in Indonesia. Millions of people leave the cities where they work to return to their hometowns, gather with family and celebrate the day of victory together with loved ones.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Transportation, the number of people undertaking homecoming journeys during the 2026 Eid season is estimated to reach 143.9 million. This figure represents a decline of approximately 1.75 per cent compared to the previous year’s 154.6 million homecomers.

However, amid this high mobility, limited access to transportation and rising travel costs remain obstacles for many people wishing to celebrate Eid in their hometowns. This situation has prompted both the government and industry players to introduce free homecoming programmes.

One such initiative is Cermati Fintech Group (CFG), a financial technology company consortium, which launched the free homecoming programme #MAUDIKBersama, which received an extraordinary response from the public.

Erlita Christiani, VP of Marketing at Indodana Paylater, expressed high public enthusiasm for the free homecoming service despite programme information being disseminated only through the company’s social media channels. She noted that the programme forms part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts within the CFG ecosystem, which includes Cermati, Cermati Protect, Cermati Invest, Indodana Finance and Indodana Fintech.

“I was quite moved because in the first hour when we opened to the public, more than 570 people had already registered. And we only posted on Instagram,” Erlita said during the #MAUDIKBersama Sendoff Ceremony for Cermati Fintech Group in Jakarta on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

Erlita added that CFG ultimately dispatched 225 homecomers using five free bus fleets on Saturday, 14 March 2026 from the Indodana Fintech office in Petojo Utara, Central Jakarta. Each participant was also permitted to bring family members, allowing the programme’s benefits to reach a wider audience.

Further, Andhy Koesnandar, Chief Executive Officer of Cermati Fintech Group, stated that the programme represents the company’s commitment to delivering genuine social impact for the public.

“Through the #MAUDIKBersama programme, we want to help people return to their hometowns more safely and comfortably, whilst strengthening togetherness during the Eid season,” Andhy said.