Inaugurating 1,151 KM of Regional Roads Across Indonesia, President Prabowo: Road Infrastructure is Foundation of Food and Energy Security

President Prabowo, Tuesday (06/23), inaugurates 1,151 kilometers of roads as a result of the Presidential Instruction on Regional Roads (IJD) implementation on the Kedungdung-Bringkoning section, Lar Lar village, Sampang regency, East Java province. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that road infrastructure development plays a strategic role for Indonesia as an archipelagic nation with a vast territory and diverse geography. This was conveyed by the President when inaugurating 1,151 kilometers of roads as a result of the Presidential Instruction on Regional Roads (IJD) implementation, on the Kedungdung-Bringkoning section, Lar Lar village, Sampang regency, East Java province, on Tuesday (06/23).

In his remarks, the Head of State said that adequate roads would support connectivity between production centers and residential areas, allowing to reduce national transport and logistics costs. The inauguration was part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening interregional connectivity to support economic growth, equitable development, and improved public welfare.

“Indonesia is a very large country, with vast territories and diverse geographic conditions. Transportation costs will be cheaper through the existence of adequate roads and connectivity between all production centers and residential areas,” said the President.

He further emphasized that the Government is committed to ensuring that no region is left behind due to limited infrastructure access. Therefore, regional road development continues to be encouraged as part of efforts to ensure equitable development even in remote areas in Indonesia.

“We are determined that no region will be left behind simply because of limited access. We must reduce logistics costs for all our people and our economy,” he added.

He said that smooth roads do not only support people’s mobility and goods distribution, but also become a crucial part of the national resilience strategy, adding that the success of achieving food and energy self-sufficiency depends on the availability of smooth and well-connected distribution networks.

“Good roads are part of our resilience strategy. Food self-sufficiency is not only about seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. Energy self-sufficiency is not only about energy. This is also the result of a smooth and well-functioning distribution network. Energy must be able to reach people in productive areas,” said the President.

On the occasion, the Head of State also urged all regional Governments to maintain and optimally utilize the infrastructure that has been built. He assured that the central Government will continue to support infrastructure development in the regions in the future, including those in the village level.

“Through the completion of this regional road, I urge all regional Governments to maintain and utilize the infrastructure optimally. In the coming years, we will increase budget for construction throughout all regions, down to the villages. Therefore, I express my gratitude for the hard work of all agencies, the Public Works Ministry, and all its staff, assisted by the regional Government,” he said.

President Prabowo also assessed positively the quality of the completed road construction and emphasized the importance of maintaining accountability in the use of the state budget. “The quality is quite good. Keep up the good work. All expenditures of public funds must be carried out accountably,” he concluded.

The inauguration of 1,151 kilometers of regional roads across Indonesia during 2025 is an important milestone in efforts to strengthen national connectivity, accelerate regional economic growth, and build a solid foundation for food and energy security, and equitable development throughout Indonesia. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/LW)