Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia After the Inauguration of the Ciawi-Sukabumi Toll Road Section from Cigombong to Cibadak at Parungkuda Toll Gate, Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province, August 4, 2023
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Alhamdulillah, it’s completed. This is for the section from Cigombong to Cibadak, and this will accelerate travel time from Jakarta to Sukabumi. What used to take five hours might now take two or 2.5 hours. In fact, there were cases before where it took six hours, nine hours, eight hours due to traffic jams caused by traditional markets, factory workers getting off, and congestion. I’ve experienced it myself; there was once nearly a 6-hour journey. This means that the mobility of people and goods will be faster with the existence of this toll road. And if you want to go to Pelabuhan Ratu, to Geopark Ciletuh, to Ujung Genteng, everything will be more accessible because it’s faster.
Journalist:
When will the next section be, sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
We push for it as soon as possible, push everything as soon as possible. Until later, towards West Sukabumi.
Journalist:
Sir, the election for regional heads is only five months away. The Government should be accountable and transparent in… (inaudible).
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
What’s not accountable, what’s not transparent? All the input comes from below, right from the regions. From the regions, it goes to the Ministry of Home Affairs, then it comes up to us at the TPA [final assessment team], everything is open.
Journalist:
Including from West Java, the West Java House of Representatives (DPRD) has provided three names, sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
It hasn’t reached me yet. Yes, there are already names, but it hasn’t reached me, so I don’t know the names yet, but there are definitely three. The DPRD from below has three.
Journalist:
This is for the people of West Java, a gift?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Yes, this is a gift for the 78th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day to the West Java Province, especially to Sukabumi.
(AS/MUR)