Feel like a Family Tour, 500 Demak Residents Go Home for Free, PDBN and BRI Depart 10 Buses from Jakarta

Around 500 Demak residents in Jabodetabek returned home for free with 10 buses in the Mudik Ceria program held by the Paguyuban Demak Bintoro Nusantara (PDBN). (IST)

JAKARTA - While the cost of homecoming continues to rise and going home is getting harder for expatriates, 500 Demak residents in Jabodetabek have a way out. They were sent home for free with 10 buses in the Mudik Ceria program held by the Paguyuban Demak Bintoro Nusantara (PDBN) together with PGSI Demak, AMPD Jabodetabek, and Bank BRI from Pasar Induk Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, Sunday, March 15, 2026.

A total of 10 buses were prepared to welcome Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah. Eight buses came from the sponsorship of Bank BRI, while the other two buses were provided by the General Chairman of PDBN Fathan Subchi, who is also a member of VI BPK RI and the sponsor of PGSI Central Java.

The release of the group was carried out by the PDBN Advisory Council H. Sohibin representing Fathan Subchi. The departure prayer was led by the Deputy General Chair of PDBN H. Kamdi.

Sohibin said that this program is expected to help Demak residents in Jabodetabek who want to go home without being burdened by the rising travel costs ahead of Eid.

"We have prepared ten buses. Eight buses from the sponsorship of Bank BRI and two buses from the Chairman of the General Assembly of PDBN. Around 500 Demak residents we have departed from Kramat Jati. Hopefully this can help people abroad," said Sohibin.

Chairman of the 2026 Homecoming Happy Committee, M. Ridhwan, said free homecoming has become a routine agenda for the PDBN every year. According to Ridhwan, this program is still needed because the cost of travel before Eid often jumps, while the need for residents to return cannot be postponed.

"This year, free homecoming feels more important. Many residents want to go home, but the cost of travel is not light. On the other hand, some of the pilgrims' hometowns are also being flooded," said Ridhwan, who is also Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian People's Democratic Party (PDBNP).

The response from the public was great. The General Chair of the Demak Regency PGSI DPD, Noor Salim, assessed that the program initiated by Fathan Subchi together with Bank BRI really helped Demak residents abroad, especially those who wanted to return home early so that they had more free time to gather with their families.

The same was conveyed by Siti Zulaikha. He admitted that the facilities provided made the homecoming trip feel more comfortable.

"We can get a comfortable free bus, as well as rice, snacks, and mineral water. So the homecoming feels light, like a family trip," he said.

Another traveler, Prabowo Hariyanto, also expressed his appreciation. According to him, programs like this are very meaningful for expatriate citizens who want to go home without being overshadowed by large costs.