Commander of the Indonesian Navy Headquarters V, Marine Brigadier General Joni Sulistiawan, stated that the battleship was deployed to facilitate Eid homecomers, especially those failing to get tickets for public transport.
"We also aim to reduce Eid road flow while providing a safe and comfortable trip for the homecoming travelers," he noted in a written statement received in Surabaya on Monday (April 8).
KRI Banda Aceh-593, a landing platform dock warfare ship, was transporting a total of 1,026 Eid homecomers and 276 motorbikes.
The battleship departed from a dock of the Military Seaborne Command (Kolinlamil) in Jakarta on Friday (April 5) and had a transit in Semarang before arriving in Surabaya on Sunday (April 7).
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Brigadier General Sulistiawin expressed belief that the free Eid homecoming program using the battleship would help smoothen the homecoming routes along Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya.
"One of our goals is to make Eid homecoming trips run smoothly. The Indonesian Navy is also committed to taking part in facilitating homecoming and reverse trips," he pointed out.
He then stated that the navy is ready to operate the battleship to transport travelers back to Jakarta via the same route on April 15.
"People interested (in the trip) can register themselves in the Navy Headquarters V in Surabaya and the Navy Base in Semarang," he noted.
Vivin, one of the participants of the free Eid trip program, said that she was enjoying the two-day voyage.
"I felt comfortable even though I traveled with a baby. Thank you, Indonesian Navy," she remarked.
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Translator: Willy I/Hanif N, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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