Ibas Yudhoyono Launches Free Homecoming Programme: "The State is Here to Help the People"

Jakarta – Deputy Chair of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), officially launched and flagged off a free homecoming programme titled “Safe Homecoming, More Comfortable Silaturahmi.”

The initiative was attended by more than 500 migrant workers from Pacitan, Magetan, Ngawi, Ponorogo, and Trenggalek, who were facilitated to return to their hometowns safely and comfortably during the Ramadan and Idul Fitri period.

In his remarks, Ibas emphasised the importance of state presence in ensuring public welfare, including through the free homecoming programme that helps ease the burden on communities.

“The state is present today for us to safeguard together, and the government is present for us to support so that everything that is thought and produced is truly oriented towards the broader public,” he said on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

“The state must ensure that our people do not face hardship during these challenging times. The state must extend its hand to offer compassion and care, including through free homecoming programmes to meet communities, families, and be present in their beloved hometowns,” Ibas continued.

Ibas also expressed appreciation to partners who collaborated in making the programme successful, namely Bank Mandiri, BRI, and PT Antam, whilst praying for the synergy to continue.

“Insya Allah, what becomes a way for us to collaborate and ease things for the public – we pray that these companies continue to grow stronger, more successful, and more advanced so that events like this can be repeated in the years to come,” he said.

He also encouraged homecoming travellers to make the journey an opportunity for spiritual reflection and strengthening family bonds.

“Homecoming is a tradition of our nation. It is one way for us to undertake a journey of the heart, to meet communities and families with relationships based on brotherhood and sisterhood, on family ties and silaturahmi,” he expressed.

He also reminded listeners of simple yet profound values in life, so that each individual can become a person of benefit to others.

Ibas did not forget to convey prayers and hopes that all participants would have a safe homecoming journey and return with renewed spirit.