Navy Chief Hopes to Expand Free Homecoming Programme Using Military Vessels
JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali has expressed hope that the free homecoming programme routes using Indonesian Navy vessels (KRI) can be expanded next year.
“Year by year, we will continue to increase this. Hopefully, next year we will be able to add routes for both the outbound mudik and return journeys using Navy vessels. That is our hope,” said Admiral Muhammad Ali during a press conference after seeing off thousands of passengers using KRI Banda Aceh at the Kolinlamil Wharf in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
This year, the Navy is operating two main free homecoming routes using KRI. The first is KRI Semarang, which serves the Jakarta to Bangka Belitung route. The second is KRI Banda Aceh, sailing from Jakarta to Semarang and Surabaya. Admiral Ali stated that all routes will also serve return journeys to Jakarta after the Eid al-Fitr period.
“Additionally, we have buses prepared by the Navy, with 110 buses from all Navy commands in Jakarta heading to Central Java and East Java,” said the Navy Chief.
“From the outset, we have had to provide comfort and security for Indonesian people who are going home for Eid al-Fitr. It is our obligation as part of the government and the state to provide something that ensures comfort and safety for our people to return to their villages,” stated Djamari.
He explained that security measures are conducted comprehensively from the capital to the destinations, involving Navy personnel and military equipment.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Zakat Board (Baznas) Sodik Mudjahid said his organisation is supporting the programme by providing meals for the homecoming travellers. Approximately 1,400 passengers received meal facilities during their outbound and return journeys, as well as gifts for the ship’s crew.
“What is provided, in addition to maritime vessel facilities, is also meal provision for two sets of three days, so for the round trip,” said Sodik.
It is recorded that approximately 1,300–1,400 passengers were dispatched in this programme, including motorcycles owned by the travellers that were also transported on the vessels.