Jakarta Vice Governor, Rano Karno sent off 654 Thousand Islands residents who participated in the Jakarta Provincial Government's Free Homecoming program.

The participants, mostly school and college students, departed from Jakarta's mainland to 11 islands in the Thousand Islands using 13 boats.

Rano explained that this program is a collaboration between Jakarta Transportation Agency and Thousand Islands Regency to assist Thousand Islands residents living on the mainland who wish to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijri.

"We have prepared 13 boats to transport hundreds of homecomers to 11 islands in the Thousand Islands Regency," he said while sending off the homecomers to the Thousand Islands at Muara Angke Port, North Jakarta, on Friday (3/28).

He further explained that the participants in the free homecoming program to Thousand Islands had registered online beforehand, with 732 people initially signing up.

"After validation, 654 individuals have been confirmed to depart, with nearly 90 percent of them being school and college students. The rest are workers who are heading back to the Thousand Islands to celebrate Eid," he added.

He revealed that several boats deployed by Jakarta Transportation Agency to transport hundreds of homecoming participants are equipped with safety gear such as life jackets, floats, visual signals for people with disabilities, and first aid kits. This means that safety is the top priority.

"We prioritize safety in sailing, as well as the security and comfort of the passengers participating in this free homecoming program," he asserted.

He mentioned that the homecomers are also covered by life insurance from Jasa Raharja, ensuring that the free homecoming trip will proceed safely and smoothly until they reach their destinations.

"This is a round-trip free homecoming package to the Thousand Islands. Homecomers will return from the islands to Jakarta on April 5," he informed.

Meanwhile, Roofid (23), a student from Jakarta State University, expressed his happiness about participating in the free homecoming program to his hometown on Kelapa Island, Thousand Islands.

"I appreciate the free homecoming program for Thousand Islands residents. I hope this program continues to be held to assist island residents return home for free during the Eid al-Fitr holidays," he said.