President Prabowo Inaugurates 3,395 TNI-Polri Bridges and 3,000 TNI AD Clean Water Sources

President Prabowo Subianto, on Thursday (08/13), inaugurated 3,395 bridges built by the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), as well as 3,000 clean water sources built by the Indonesian Army (TNI AD). The inauguration was held in a hybrid format through a video conference. President Prabowo attended the event from Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak attended from one of the bridges in Bekasi regency, West Java province, while National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo joined the event from one of the bridges in Lebak regency, Banten province.

In his remarks, President Prabowo expressed appreciation to the TNI and Polri for developing infrastructure that directly benefits the lives of the people. The President said that the construction of bridges and clean water sources was a concrete form of the TNI’s and the Polri’s service to the people.

“On behalf of the government, all Indonesian people, and myself, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the Army Chief of Staff and the National Police Chief, as well as to officials of the TNI and the Polri, and to all personnel of the TNI and Polri. I am proud of all of you. You have carried out missions of service, missions dedicated to the people,” the President said.

The President emphasized that the TNI and Polri cannot be separated from the people. According to him, infrastructure development that directly addresses the needs of the people is clear evidence of the TNI’s and the Polri’s commitment to always being present among the people.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is proof that the TNI truly is the people’s military and that the Polri truly is the people’s police. We must always remember this. You are not ordinary soldiers, and you are not ordinary police officers. You are the people’s military and the people’s police, who were born from the people, then fight alongside the people, give your best to the people, and will ultimately return to the people,” he said.

Earlier, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak reported that the Indonesian Army had worked on the construction of 3,008 bridges. Of these bridges, 2,500 had been completed, while 508 were still under construction. Construction had also been carried out at 798 locations in disaster-affected areas.

“We have worked on 3,008 bridge locations, with 2,500 completed and 508 still under construction, as well as 798 in disaster-affected areas. In these disaster-affected areas, we are not limiting our work to those locations alone. We are also working in Aceh, North Sumatra, and Padang, and we will ensure that all bridges in those provinces are completed this year,” the Army Chief of Staff said.

He further explained that the construction of the bridges has had a broad impact on the communities. Thanks to the 3,008 bridges, 9,008 schools have become more accessible. The bridges also connect 7,807 villages, provide access to 4,502 health facilities and 4,618 economic facilities, and benefit approximately 4.5 million people.

“A total of 9,008 schools have become accessible, so students, as the President expects, no longer need to get wet or take risks to reach their schools,” Maruli said.

Meanwhile, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo reported that the Polri had independently constructed and revitalized 895 Presisi Red-and-White Bridges across 30 regional police jurisdictions. Of these, 874 bridges had been completed, 17 were still under construction, and four were at the planning stage.

“In accordance with the President’s directives, we report that we have independently constructed and revitalized 895 Presisi Red-and-White Bridges across 30 regional police jurisdictions. Of these, 874 have been completed, 17 are under construction, and four are at the planning stage,” the National Police Chief said.

According to Listyo, the 874 completed bridges have a combined length of 19.2 kilometers and connect 1,314 villages. The infrastructure has benefited approximately two million people from various groups.

“It is an honor and a source of pride for us that the President has made time to attend the bridges’ inauguration virtually. This certainly encourages all of us, especially all TNI and Polri personnel, to continue providing the best service in accordance with the President’s directives emphasizing that we must remain together with the people and understand the problems faced by communities,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/TM)