President Jokowi Requests LRT Projects in Jakarta & Palembang be Completed by 2018

President Jokowi, accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, leads a Limited Meeting on LRT construction, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (6/1) afternoon. (Photo: PR/Jay)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo led a Limited Meeting on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction progress in Jakarta and Palembang, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (6/1) afternoon.

According to the President, the progress of the LRT construction needs to be discussed because infrastructure development must be regularly checked again and again. “What has become the obstacles on the ground, from whether related to land acquisition, funding, or spatial issues to the supporting infrastructure, and we will immediately find a way out,” the President said.

Moreover, the President added, Indonesia does not have any experience in this field both in the construction of the LRT, MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and high-speed rail. So, it is expected that these constructions, both the MRT, LRT, and high-speed rail, can be used as an instructional technology transfer, making it useful for the steps ahead.

President Jokowi reminded all that the construction of LRT is across ministries and regions in nature. Therefore, it requires synergy and cooperation across ministries and regions. “This could serve as a model of cooperation that can be applied in other cities,” he said.

The President wants to ensure that the LRT construction can be completed on schedule by 2018. This is because Indonesia will host the 2018 Asian Games, a world-class sports event.

The Limited Meeting was attended by, among others, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State-owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H . Laoly, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Minister of Transportation Budi K. Sumadi, Head of the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP), President Director of Adhi Karya, President Director of Waskita Karya, President Director of Jakarta Propertindo, President Director of PT KAI (Indonesian State-owned Railway Operator), and other officials. (SM/FID/ES) (MUR/YM/Naster).