Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inspection of Damaged Road in Central Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, May 5, 2023
Journalist
Passing the damaged road, Sir? What is your impression after passing the damaged roads, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
The road is smooth, nice.
Journalist
You enjoyed it, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I did.
Journalist
Felt like shaking in the car, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It made Mr. Zul fell asleep, I also slept.
Minister of Trade (Zulkifli Hasan)
If someone is pregnant, they can give birth instantly.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Since it was smooth, I felt asleep in the car.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
So, the motivation is, our motivation is that we want to repair the damaged roads that we have just seen earlier, be it regency roads, provincial roads, or city roads which are badly damaged. Also, the people should know that the central government is responsible for national roads, the governor is responsible for provincial roads, and the regents and mayors are responsible for regency roads. However, because it has been going on for a long time, the central government will take it over.
This year, the central government will specially disburse a budget of approximately IDR800 billion for 15 roads, including this road. The construction work, the repair work will begin in June after the procurement process. After I saw it, I have ordered the Minister of PUPR to initiate a procurement process, but there are roads which are the Governor’s responsibility and other roads are the responsibility of Lampung Regents, not all of them are the responsibility of the central government, yes. I think that it is
Journalist
The repair work does not include Rumbia Road, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Basically, the damaged roads, including Rumbia Road, or the roads which are badly damaged, we will repair it.
Journalist
In Kota Baru city, the car was stuck, right, Sir ? How was it?
Minister of Trade (Zulkifli Hasan)
I did not stuck, just swam.
Journalist
How to change the people’s perspective that the government will work on something if it goes viral, how to respond it?
President of Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, not only here, but we have also seen such things in several provinces that should be assisted by the central government. It is not a matter of viral or not viral, no it is not. Indeed, it is the duty of the central, provincial, and regency/city governments to provide services, including providing good roads, because it is related to the goods and people mobility, and logistics costs. If the logistics cost is expensive due to damaged roads, the products will not be competitive, right. I think that it is.
(FKH/AW/LW)