Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Indrapura-Kisaran Toll Road Section 2 and Betung-Tempino-Jambi Toll Road Section 3 at Kisaran Toll Gate, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra Province, October 16, 2024

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Distinguished Minister of Transportation, Governor of North Sumatra Province, Chair of Commission V of the House of Representatives, Director General and all President Directors in attendance,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon,

Many people believe that toll roads are mainly constructed by the private sector, with funding source from their investment. While it’s true that numerous toll roads have been developed  through private investment, our SOEs and our State Budget have also played a significant role. This collaboration means that that toll road construction is a collective effort involving the private sector, SOEs, and State Budget. When a toll road’s Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is low, relying on the State Budget becomes necessary.

We hope that toll roads, especially Trans-Sumatra, will greatly improve the movement of people, goods, and the distribution of logistics. This will allow each region to better compete with others on a global scale, especially given the intense international competition.  And alhamdulillah, this afternoon Bayung Lencir-Tempino Toll Road Section 3 in Jambi province, with a length of 34 kilometers and a budget of R5.6 trillion, was completed. The construction began two years ago and it is part of the Trans-Sumatra toll road.

We are also officiating the Indrapura-Kisaran Toll Road, which has been built since 2018 with an investment of Rp6.32 trillion or Rp6,320 billion. The 47.75-kilometer-long toll road consists of two sections, namely Section 1 Indrapura-Lima Puluh, with a length of 15.6 kilometers, and Section 2 Lima Puluh-Kisaran, with a length of 32.15 kilometers. It will increase competitive edge and stimulate new economic growth centers in the provinces of North Sumatra and Jambi.

That concludes my statement and by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon, I hereby officiate Indrapura-Kisaran Toll Road Section 2 (Lima Puluh-Kisaran) in North Sumatra province and Betung-Tempino-Jambi Toll Road Section 3 (Bayung Lencir-Tempino) in Jambi province.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

(DH/EP)