Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the Inspection of Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway Project, at Tegalluar Station, Bandung Regency, West Java Province, October 13, 2022

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Today, I visit the Tegalluar Station in Bandung regency to inspect the progress of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway construction. I was informed earlier that overall progress has reached 88.8 percent. We hope that the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway will improve and accelerate people and goods mobility. Also, our competitiveness will improve, and there will be new centers of economic growth in Jakarta and Bandung, as well as Bandung regency. That is all.

Reporter
I am Sherina from Al Jazeera TV. This is the first high-speed train in the region, what do you think about the achievement? Is it considered as an achievement for Indonesia?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, this is the first ever high-speed train in the region, in ASEAN. And we hope to build up an international connectivity in the future, by connecting seaports, airports, or high-speed trains, like this one. It has become a major concept in ASEAN to realize the connectivity of ASEAN countries as soon as possible to boost ASEAN competitiveness.

Reporter
Pak Jokowi, how do you feel when you see the Indonesian high-speed train for the first time?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
When it is completed, I will give my comment. It is still not completed yet. Later, when it is completed, we will travel from Jakarta to Bandung, or from Bandung to Jakarta in 35 minutes, I then will give my comment.

Reporter
This fast train is made possible thanks to China’s support, Sir, what is your comment regarding this?  How do you feel about it?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This is not a support. This is a cooperation between Indonesia and China that includes investment. So, this is not a support.

Reporter
Mr. President, are there any issues in its implementation? Is there any problems?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, there were issues when building tunnel 2 and tunnel 11 because of the hard land type, but alhamdulillah, thank God, it is now settled.

Reporter
Has it anything to do with the pandemic or inflation, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No, no, no. The pandemic has nothing to do with the railway project; but it only caused slowdown, for a while.

Reporter
Pak Jokowi, I am Irman, IDN Times reporter. Regarding President Xi Jinping’s plan to come here to inspect the high-speed train, when exactly will he come, Sir? One more thing, regarding the launching of this high-speed train next year, in what month will it be launched, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It is still being discussed with President Xi Jinping, not final yet. And, the launching of the operation will be, insyaallah, God willing, held approximately in June 2023.

Reporter
Thank you. I am Novi from Investor Daily. Mr. President, along with the end of COVID-19 pandemic, we see that many industries, particularly the retail and shopping center industries remain weak. In order to revive the retail and shopping center industries, is there anything that could ease business actors to bounce back? Thank you.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It happens in all countries, the retail industry is down, but it is not just because of the pandemic, it is because people are now turning to digital platforms, marketplaces, and getting their purchases delivered directly to their homes, free of delivery costs. These are the platforms of technology companies that help us to make purchase faster. The competition is there. So, if retailers do not adapt to technological advances, then that is what they should do.

Reporter
One more Mr. President, is there any reshuffle plan following the announcement of the presidential candidate from NasDem Party?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
There is always a plan, but the implementation will be decided later.

Reporter
This project requires costs that continue to rise, resulting in a very high cost for this project. Will it have any effect on the Indonesian economy? The construction of this high-speed train comes at a high cost, will it have an impact on the Indonesian economy?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, everything referred to as investment will undoubtedly have an impact on our economic growth, for sure. It is necessary to calculate the percentage. However, any investment must have an impact on economic growth. Just check where the goods are purchased. The floors, the granite, everything will undoubtedly have an impact on the domestic and national economies.

Reporter
Pak Jokowi, are you happy with the development of this high-speed train, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, I am happy.

(YC/AW/HD/MMB)