This program benefited students and the general public traveling from Java and Sumatra to the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Riau Province, and the Riau Islands Province. Travelers took both land and sea routes to reach their destinations.
PT Timah’s free homecoming program received overwhelming enthusiasm from the community, as reflected in the high number of registrations. To implement this initiative, PT Timah partnered with Ikatan Siswa/Mahasiswa Bangka (ISBA), Ikatan Pelajar Keluarga Belitong (IKPB), and Keluarga Pelajar Mahasiswa Kepulauan Riau (KPMKR).
Beyond providing transportation, PT Timah also distributed food packages and souvenirs to participants. Additionally, escort officers were assigned to ensure a smooth journey and assist travelers throughout the trip.
Department Head of Corporate Communication PT Timah Tbk, Anggi Siahaan, confirmed that all participants of the free homecoming program had safely arrived at their destinations to celebrate Eid with their loved ones.
Anggi emphasized that this initiative reflects PT Timah’s commitment to supporting the community, especially those who wish to reunite with their families but face financial constraints.
“This is a routine program by the company to help people return home safely, comfortably, and free of charge. It’s part of our social responsibility to support the mudik tradition, which is deeply rooted in our culture,” said Anggi.
Rangga, the Chairman of ISBA Jakarta and a participant in the program, expressed his gratitude to PT Timah for continuing this free homecoming initiative.
“We are truly grateful. PT Timah organizes this program almost every year and always involves ISBA Jaya in supporting the mudik initiative,” he said.
Rangga also commended the high-quality facilities provided by PT Timah.
“It’s evident that PT Timah always strives for the best—everything from transportation to meals was well taken care of,” he added.
Similarly, Oktalina, Chairwoman of ISBA Bandung, also praised the free homecoming program.
“As the coordinator and chair of ISBA Bandung, I am thrilled about this initiative. It’s a huge relief for students like us because traveling home independently can be very costly,” she said.
Oktalina hopes that PT Timah will increase the number of participants in the coming years to assist more Bangka students.
“I hope the quota for this program keeps growing so that more Bangka students can benefit. Wishing PT Timah continued success,” she added.
Devan, Chairman of Ikatan Pelajar Keluarga Belitong (IKPB) Cabang Bangka, highlighted the strong interest in the program, as evidenced by the high number of registrants.
“The enthusiasm was tremendous—we had about 400 applicants. We had to prioritize those who needed it the most,” he explained.
“I hope the quota increases in the future because this program is incredibly helpful, especially for students with short semester breaks. This way, traveling home doesn’t feel like a waste,” he added.
Muhammad Rizki, Chairman of Keluarga Pelajar Mahasiswa Kepulauan Riau (KPMKR) Kabupaten Karimun Yogyakarta, emphasized how the program enables students to return home for Eid without financial strain.
“The demand was high because this program is truly beneficial. Traveling home independently would be costly. I wasn’t planning to go home, but thanks to this program, I could tell my parents that I could return home for free,” he said.
“The journey was great—well-organized and comfortable, living up to its theme: Safe Homecoming. This was my third time participating, and each experience has been memorable,” he added.
Rizki noted that students traveling to different areas in the Riau Islands, such as Batam, Kundur, Karimun, Natuna, and Anambas, greatly benefited from the program.
“This initiative spares students from the financial burden of going home. I hope this program continues, and PT Timah keeps making a real difference for communities and students across Indonesia,” he concluded. (*)
