JAKARTA - The Indonesian Navy has sent about 1,200 pilgrims to Bangka Belitung using the Republic of Indonesia Warship (KRI) Semarang-594 in a free cross-island homecoming program ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.
Assistant Operations Chief of the Navy Staff (Asops Kasal) Rear Admiral TNI Muda Yayan Sofiyan said the program was part of the TNI AL's efforts to help the community travel home more safely.
"KRI Semarang-594 is already on board. There are people from Bangka Belitung as many as 1,239 personnel," said Yayan at the departure release at Kolinlamil Wharf, North Jakarta, Sunday.
He said that the travelers who participated in the program came from various regions, including members of the Bangka Belitung Community Family Association who were domiciled in Jakarta, Bogor, and Bandung.
According to him, the homecoming program using warships received a high response from the public. Registration which was opened only in two days was immediately fulfilled according to the available quota.
"People from the Bangka Belitung Family Association in Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung and the Bangka Belitung people themselves are very enthusiastic. It's only been two days since the quota was opened, it's full," he said.
The free cross-island homecoming program from Jakarta to Bangka Belitung is part of the TNI AL's support for the government's policy to facilitate community mobility ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
In the program, travelers are also allowed to bring two-wheeled vehicles to use in their hometowns.
KRI Semarang is scheduled to depart from Jakarta on March 15, 2026 and arrive in Bangka on March 16, before continuing on to Belitung on March 17. For the return flow, the ship will depart from Bangka on March 27 to Belitung on March 28 and return to Jakarta on March 29.
During the voyage, the Indonesian Navy prepared a number of supporting facilities for travelers, including the provision of food for sahur and breaking the fast.
This program is the result of collaboration between the Indonesian Navy and the Provincial Government of Bangka Belitung Islands, PT Timah, the Bangka Belitung Islands Community Association (IKM Babel), and the Sumsel Babel Bank.
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