Free 'Pulang Basamo' Mudik Hosted as Andre Rosiade Dispatches 250 Buses to West Sumatra

Jakarta, VIVA – Deputy Speaker of the House’s Commission VI, Andre Rosiade, launched the free mudik programme “Pulang Basamo” to West Sumatra for Eid al-Fitr 2026. In its fourth year, the programme provides 250 buses to transport about 12,000 travellers from Jakarta to various regions of West Sumatra. Andre said the programme is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to help Minang migrants return home for Eid. ‘This event is indeed our fourth year running. In the first year 75 buses, second year 200 buses, third year 250 buses, and this year, Alhamdulillah, we still have 250 buses,’ he said as he dispatched the travellers at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Sunday, 8 March 2026. Andre noted the mudik programme is free. Departure tickets were sold out quickly due to high interest from the public. ‘Carried out free of charge; the tickets are given away for free. Alhamdulillah, within half an hour they were all gone,’ he said. In addition to free transport, travellers also receive snacks and meals during the journey. The bus convoys are escorted by the police until arrival in West Sumatra. ‘From departure to West Sumatra, they are escorted directly by the West Sumatra Regional Police,’ Andre said. The programme has two main stops for travellers: in front of the Sumatra Barat Grand Mosque in Padang and at the Kantin Field in the City of Bukittinggi. However, travellers are still allowed to alight at other points along the route. ‘The aim is West Sumatra; there are two stops. The first in Padang in front of the Sumatra Barat Grand Mosque, the second in front of the Kantin Field in the City of Bukittinggi,’ he explained. Andre added that of the total 250 buses prepared, about 100 depart earlier, while the remaining 150 are scheduled to depart on 15 March 2026. He said the first wave participants were mostly students, while subsequent waves were dominated by workers. He also assessed that the mudik programme would help West Sumatra’s economy because migrants would bring money and shop in their home region. ‘West Sumatra’s economy grows only 3 percent, inflation 6 percent. So far, the economy has been helped because Minang migrants send around Rp20 trillion per year,’ he said.