Andre Rosiade Holds Free Homecoming "Pulang Basamo", 250 Buses Depart to West Sumatra
JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the DPR, Andre Rosiade, has released a free homecoming program "Pulang Basamo" to West Sumatra on Eid 2026. This program, which has entered its fourth year, provides 250 buses to transport around 12,000 travelers from Jakarta to various areas in West Sumatra.
Andre said the program was part of President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to help Minang expatriate communities to be able to return home during Lebaran.
"This event is indeed the fourth year we have held. The first year 75 buses, the second year 200 buses, the third year 250 buses, and this year, thank God, 250 buses," said Andre when releasing pilgrims at the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Sunday, March 8.
Andre ensured that the homecoming program was held for free. The departure tickets even sold out in a short time due to the high public interest.
"It is carried out for free, we are the ticket. Alhamdulillah in half an hour it is over," he said.
In addition to getting free transportation, the pilgrims also get snacks and food during the trip. The bus convoy was also escorted by the police until it arrived in West Sumatra.
"From departure to West Sumatra, it was directly escorted by the West Sumatra Police," said Andre.
In this program, there are two main stopping points for travelers, namely in front of the West Sumatra Grand Mosque in Padang and at the Bukittinggi City Kantin Square. However, travelers are still allowed to get off in other areas along the route.
"The goal is to West Sumatra, there are two stopping points. The first is in Padang in front of the West Sumatra Grand Mosque, the second is in front of the Kantin Square in Bukittinggi City," he explained.
Of the total 250 buses that were prepared, about 100 buses were sent out first, while the other 150 buses are scheduled to depart on March 15, 2026.
Andre said the first departure participants were mostly students, while the next wave was dominated by workers.
He also assessed that this homecoming program also helped the economy of West Sumatra because the expatriates who returned home would bring money and shop in their home areas.
"West Sumatra's economic growth is only 3 percent, inflation is 6 percent. So far, the economy has been helped because Minang expatriates always send money of around Rp. 20 trillion per year," he said.
In addition, Andre emphasized that the central government also has a major commitment to the development of West Sumatra. One of them is by preparing a budget of almost Rp. 18.9 trillion to handle the impact of natural disasters that occurred previously.
"The President has prepared a budget of Rp. 18.9 trillion to rebuild West Sumatra, that's just infrastructure, beyond the repair of rice fields, fields and houses," he said.