Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Inauguration of the Revitalization of Semarang Tawang Station at Semarang City, Central Java Province Thursday, July 30, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good afternoon,
May prosperity be upon us all,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished President Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), Mr. Bobby Rasyidin, and members of the organizing committee;

Honorable Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet in attendance: Minister of Transportation Mr. Dudy Purwagandhi; Minister of Culture Mr. Fadli Zon; Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Mr. Bahlil Lahadalia; Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sugiono; Minister of State Secretary Mr. Prasetyo Hadi; Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Mr. Nusron Wahid; Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia Lieutenant Colonel (Inf.) Teddy Indra Wijaya;

Honorable Governor of Central Java, Police Commissioner General (Ret.) Ahmad Luthfi, together with members of the Central Java Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), including the Regional Military Commander, the Regional Police Chief, and other Forkopimda officials;

Honorable Mayor of Semarang, Ms. Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti;

Distinguished members of the KAI family, including station personnel, train drivers, and all KAI employees serving across Indonesia;

Distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.

As people of faith, let us continuously offer our praise and gratitude to God Almighty, to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala for Muslims, for the blessings bestowed upon our nation, including the gift of health and life itself. It is by His grace that we are able to gather here today at this place of great historical significance to inaugurate the revitalized Semarang Tawang Station.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
History records that the first President of the Republic of Indonesia departed from this station to carry out state duties in various regions during the early years of our independence. Therefore, preserving Tawang Station is about more than maintaining a historic building, but it is also about safeguarding our identity, our collective memory, and the journey of our nation.

Fellow citizens,
A great nation never forgets its history, and although we endured a long period of colonial rule, we also used that period to learn, to master science and technology, and to prepare ourselves to become a strong and independent nation. That is why preserving our historical heritage is so important, regardless of how old it may be. We must preserve our temples and other historic structures built centuries, even millennia, ago, because they are an inseparable part of our history and our national identity.

Fellow citizens,
I would like to express my appreciation to the President Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) for taking swift and responsive action.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
In my view, railways remain an essential pillar of a modern nation. They are an efficient means of logistics and affordable transportation that directly benefits the public, particularly low-income communities. Railways are an instrument of the people’s economy and a vital means of promoting inclusive economic development. Railways exist to serve the public. In many countries, rail transport is regarded as a public service rather than solely a commercial enterprise, although it must continue to operate efficiently. Therefore, railway services must prioritize the needs of the people, including those living in smaller towns. We must ensure that our pursuit of faster and more advanced rail services does not leave smaller communities behind.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia must adopt a comprehensive and future-fit approach. We are committed to modernization and technological advancement. However, remember that technology and infrastructure exist to serve the people. I also have an important message for PT Kereta Api Indonesia. We need to invest more in our railway system. I understand that thousands of railway crossings still persist across the country. We must equip them with proper safety gates, and where possible, automatic crossing systems, thereby reducing accidents and better protecting the public.

Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that tourism is one of the key drivers of our economy. Tourism is vital. Tourism generates foreign exchange while creating opportunities across a wide range of sectors. When a single international visitor comes to Indonesia, enjoys a cup of coffee, that simple purchase supports the livelihood of coffee farmers, workers who process the beans, logistics providers who transport them, those who package the products, and the businesses that serve them in restaurants, cafés, and hotels. One tourist can ultimately contribute to the livelihoods of 10 to 15 Indonesians through this extensive economic chain.

But what attracts tourists to our country? It is our culture, the beauty of our landscapes, and the unique atmosphere of Indonesia. That is why one of the most important foundations of tourism is cleanliness. Every city, regency, district, and provincial capital must be clean and well maintained. For this reason, waste management has become one of our top priorities. We must resolve the waste problem across Indonesia within the next year. Our rivers and waterways must be clean. We must protect our natural environment. Trees should not be cut down indiscriminately, and where necessary, we must plant hundreds of millions more. We must preserve the beauty and aesthetic quality of our surroundings.

Traditionally, Indonesians did not use corrugated iron roofing. If necessary, we’re back using local materials such as ijuk (palm fiber) and rumbia (thatch). We should continue to make use of such materials or develop suitable alternatives. Our people have produced clay roof tiles for generations; this is not new technology but part of our own heritage. Corrugated iron deteriorates quickly, and rust can pose health risks. Long-term exposure to rust, asbestos, and other hazardous materials may contribute to serious respiratory illnesses. Therefore, I urge governors, regents, mayors, and all relevant institutions to preserve our environment and maintain cleanliness.

That is why PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s initiative to revitalize hundreds of railway stations is so important. This effort should not be underestimated. Historic stations can themselves become tourist attractions. Many visitors come to Indonesia to experience its history, whether by visiting Borobudur in Central Java or Prambanan in Yogyakarta.

Well, I am very pleased. Preserving these stations is not only about protecting historical buildings, but also about safeguarding our nation’s history. More importantly, it forms part of our broader effort to transform every sector of national life. We must change perceptions of Indonesia. Indonesia must be preserved, beautiful, and lush. There must be no scattered trash, no neglected buildings, and no rust everywhere. We must change this, and we are capable of doing so. Let us create a brilliant, beautiful, and captivating Indonesia, a country that is truly inviting and comfortable. Let us complement our nation’s hospitality with the welcoming nature of our landscapes.

Railways are an essential part of both tourism and the future of transportation. Our goal is to move toward electrified transportation. We will build clean, renewable energy. In time, not only trains, but also trucks, buses, cars, and motorcycles will increasingly be powered by electricity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
That concludes my remarks. Thank you to everyone at PT Kereta Api Indonesia. Please keep up the good work. Today, I will experience the Nusantara Explorer, the newly-launched train by KAI to boost tourism.

That is all from me. Enjoy your work. I want PT Kereta Api Indonesia to continue growing rapidly, expanding its coverage, and making even greater contributions to our nation. Indonesia is a great nation. Therefore, I encourage all officials, employees, and leaders to think boldly and act with a broad vision. Do not think small or limit your ambitions. Have the courage to dream big and pursue great aspirations. As our first President once said, “Aim for the sky. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars.”

Our next major undertaking is the Trans-Sumatra Railway, stretching from Bakauheni at the southern tip of Sumatra to the island’s northernmost point. Can we make it, KAI? Can we make it, Minister of Transportation? We must set ambitious goals, not easy ones. Once the Trans-Sumatra Railway is underway, we will continue with the Trans-Kalimantan Railway. If possible, let us begin both projects simultaneously.

Indonesia is a great, strong, and prosperous nation. Let us prove it. Let us face the future with optimism, confidence, and determination, while never forgetting our history. History shapes our character and serves as the foundation for our future.

Thank you. I wish you all the best in your respective duties. In a few moments, I will inaugurate the revitalization of Semarang Tawang Station. I also look forward to inaugurating revitalized stations across the country, as well as the future launch of the Trans-Sumatra Railway.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
May prosperity be upon us all,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om santi santi santi om,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue,
Rahayu rahayu.

By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, in this afternoon, Thursday, July 30, 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate the revitalization of Semarang Tawang Station.

Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

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(RIF/MUR)