Indonesian Navy Deploys 1,200 Homebound Passengers to Bangka Belitung using KRI Semarang
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) deployed approximately 1,200 homebound passengers bound for Bangka Belitung using the Indonesian Naval Vessel (KRI) Semarang-594 in a free inter-island homecoming programme ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.
Rear Admiral Yayan Sofiyan, Assistant to Operations of the Chief of Naval Staff (Asops Kasal), stated that the programme formed part of the TNI AL’s efforts to assist the public in undertaking homecoming journeys more safely.
“The KRI Semarang-594 is already on board. Inside it there are 1,239 personnel from Bangka Belitung,” Yayan said during the vessel’s departure ceremony at the Kolinlamil Dock in North Jakarta on Sunday.
He noted that the homebound passengers participating in the programme came from various regions, including members of the Bangka Belitung Community Family Association (IKM Babel) residing in Jakarta, Bogor, and Bandung.
According to him, the homecoming programme using the naval vessel received a strong response from the public. Registration, which opened for just two days, was immediately filled according to available quota.
“The people from the Bangka Belitung Family Association in Jakarta, Bogor, and Bandung as well as the people of Bangka Belitung themselves were very enthusiastic. The quota was full after just two days of opening,” he said.
The free inter-island homecoming programme on the Jakarta–Bangka Belitung route forms part of TNI AL’s support for government policy to facilitate public mobility ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
In the programme, homebound passengers are also permitted to bring motorcycles for use in their home villages.
The KRI Semarang is scheduled to depart from Jakarta on 15 March 2026 and arrive in Bangka on 16 March, before continuing to Belitung on 17 March. For the return journey, the vessel will depart Bangka on 27 March towards Belitung on 28 March and return to Jakarta on 29 March.
During the voyage, the TNI AL has arranged various supporting facilities for the passengers, including the provision of food for dawn meals and breaking of the fast.
The programme resulted from collaboration between the TNI AL, the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government, PT Timah, the Bangka Belitung Islands Community Association (IKM Babel), and Bank Sumsel Babel.