JAKARTA -- PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the community by organizing a free homecoming program, which is an annual program routinely held by the company.
This year, PT TIMAH collaborated with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government, and Bank Sumsel Babel to facilitate migrants returning to their hometowns in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province using KRI Semarang-594.
A total of 1,349 travelers bound for Bangka and Belitung Islands were officially sent off in an event held at Mulyono Silam Field, the Headquarters of the Military Sealift Command (Kolinlamil), Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, on Sunday (March 15, 2026).
The free homecoming program was open to people from Bangka Belitung who are currently living in Java. In its implementation, the company also involved regional student organizations such as the Bangka Belitung Student Association and the Belitung Student Family Association.
The participants departed from several cities on the island of Java using buses facilitated by PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk, including Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Jakarta, before gathering at the Kolinlamil Headquarters at Tanjung Priok Port.
The send-off ceremony was led by the Assistant for Operations to the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Rear Admiral Yayan Sofian, ST., M.Si., CHRMP., M.Tr.Opsla, accompanied by the Commander of Kolinlamil, Rear Admiral Rudhi Aviantara, IH., S.E., M.Si., M.Tr.(Han)., CHRMP.
The travelers departed using KRI Semarang-594, a vessel owned by the Indonesian Navy, which will transport them to Bangka Belitung to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families.
In his statement, Yayan Sofian said that the free homecoming program is a form of the Indonesian Navy’s concern in helping the community, in line with the leadership’s directive that naval personnel should always be present among the people.
“For this homecoming program, we are utilizing the KRI vessel to help travelers return to their hometowns. This morning we are sending off travelers heading to Bangka Belitung,” he said.
He also emphasized that the Indonesian Navy continues to assist the community in various situations, including disaster response and other social activities.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Secretary of PT TIMAH (Persero) Tbk, Ruddy Nursalam, said the free homecoming program has become a routine agenda of the company as a form of concern for the community, particularly students from Bangka Belitung who are pursuing education outside the region.
“Alhamdulillah, this year PT TIMAH is able to collaborate with the Indonesian Navy, the Bangka Belitung Provincial Government, and Bank Sumsel Babel to help students and the wider community return to their hometowns in Bangka Belitung,” he said.
One of the travelers from Belitung, Rizky Febriano, who also serves as the Chairman of the Belitung Student Family Association in Yogyakarta, expressed his appreciation to all parties who supported the program.
“Alhamdulillah, this year PT TIMAH is still organizing free homecoming for the people, students, and learners from Bangka Belitung who are living in Java. We are also happy because this year we can experience traveling on an Indonesian Navy warship,” he said.
He hopes that the free homecoming program can continue in the future, as many migrants still face difficulties returning home due to the high cost of airline tickets.
This collaborative program is expected to help the community celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families while strengthening the synergy between the company, local government, and the Indonesian Navy in providing tangible benefits to the community. (*)
