Mudik Passengers Receive Free Iftar and Sahur Meals Aboard Naval Warship, Menu Features Chicken

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Navy ensured that 1,239 mudik travellers received iftar and sahur meals during their journey from Jakarta to Bangka Belitung aboard the warship KRI Semarang-594.

“Iftar and sahur will be shared together and prepared by Indonesian Navy personnel with special menus,” said Laksma TNI Yayan Sofiyan, Assistant to the Operations of the Chief of Naval Staff, whilst speaking with the travellers on Sunday (15 March 2026).

Yayan asked the Commander of KRI Semarang-594, who was standing to his right, about the menu offerings. “Ready, chicken rendang and chicken curry,” he replied, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the travellers on the warship’s deck.

Yayan stated that the free mudik programme represented the government and Indonesian Navy’s commitment to national interests and supporting the public. “The joint mudik activity using a naval warship, you can see behind us, KRI Semarang-594 has 1,239 members of the public from Bangka Belitung on board,” he explained.

According to Yayan, the mudik passengers came from various regions, including Jakarta, Bogor, and Bandung, returning to their home towns. “They are very enthusiastic. Within just two days of the announcement, the quota was already full,” he noted.

“Previously we conducted operations to eastern regions, to Semarang, Surabaya, and Jakarta, but this is the first time,” he added. Yayan, a two-star senior naval officer, explained that the programme also followed a formal request from Bangka Belitung Governor Hidayat Arsani to Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali.

“And we are grateful that a suitable vessel was available,” he said. Yayan disclosed that the mudik voyage was planned to cover approximately 400 nautical miles. For the return journey, the vessel will depart Bangka on 27 March, arrive in Belitung on 28 March, and return to Jakarta on 29 March.

“Throughout the land and sea journey, mudik passengers have been provided with iftar and sahur meal facilities,” he concluded.