Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo at the Limited Meeting on the Progress of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Development in Jakarta and Palembang, 6 February 2017, at Presidential Office, Jakarta

Unofficial English Translation 

Good afternoon,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

This afternoon’s meeting will discuss the progress of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) development in Jakarta and Palembang.

First, the reason why we often hold meetings about this topic is that we should check, check, and check again the infrastructure development, whether the problem in the field is related to land acquisitions, funding, spatial issues, or supporting infrastructures. Thus, we shall find the solution immediately.

Second, we have zero experience in this field, be it in developing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), LRT, or high speed train projects. Therefore, we hope that the first construction of MRT, LRT, or high speed train will make way for the technology transfer which can be useful for our steps in the future.

Third, the LRT development involves many ministries and regions. Therefore, it requires synergy and solid teamwork between the central and provincial governments. In the future, we can use this as a cooperation model that can be implemented in other cities.

Last but not least,  in today’s limited meeting I want to ensure that the LRT development will be finished on schedule, by 2018 or early 2019, because we all know that in 2018, Indonesia will host the 2018 Asian Games, a world-class sports event.

That’s all the introduction. (PR Cabinet Secretariat)(VF/MUR/AW/YM/Naster)