Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Inauguration of Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) Indralaya-Prabumulih Section in Palembang City, South Sumatra Province, October 26, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good afternoon,
Peace and prosperity be upon us all.
Honorable Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, [Acting] Governor of South Sumatra province, regents and leadership of Commission V of the House of Representatives, heads of state-owned enterprises, all ranks of Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda),

Ladies and Gentlemen.

On this Sumatra island, we will build approximately 2,800 kilometers of toll roads. For the backbone itself, the main corridor is approximately 1,800 kilometers. And, we hope that this development will speed up the mobility of goods and services, so that we can improve our competitiveness.

I will give you an example. Last night, I met with community leaders, religious leaders, they said, ‘Sir, it used to take 10 to 12 hours from Palembang to Lampung, now it takes 3.5 hours.’ That is an incredible speed.

But, we are still far from it. Let me give you a perspective. Up until now, we have built 2,040 kilometers of toll roads, 2,040 of new ones and 780 kilometers of old ones. It means that Indonesia only has 2,800 kilometers of toll roads. China already has 280,000 kilometers. We have 2,800 [kilometers]. They have 280,000 kilometers. We are still very far away in terms of our competitiveness. That is what we want to pursue so that we can compete with other countries. We must continue to build more infrastructure, which can be achieved through the State Budget, built by state-owned enterprises, built by the private sector. We can use all three [schemes] in parallel.

And today, thank God, the 64.5-kilometer Indralaya-Prabumulih Toll Road has been completed and will soon start its operation. It has been built since 2019, indeed the terrain from Palembang to Lampung is not easy, especially in South Sumatra. And, the total investment for the construction of this 64.5 kilometers [toll road] is Rp12.5 trillion.

This is a big investment but the benefits for our country, the benefits for the people will be extraordinary if we can increase productivity. It means that this toll road must be connected to agricultural areas, connected to tourism areas, connected to plantation areas, connected to industrial areas. The benefits will be significant.

This concludes my remarks. By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially inaugurate the Indralaya-Prabumulih Toll Road and Patih Galung Flyover in Prabumulih city, South Sumatra province.

I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(FI/MMB)