Public Work Minister Ready to Halt Sunda Strait Bridge Project
4 November 2014 17:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Public Work and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimulyono said that Sunda Strait Bridge discussion is yet to take place in cabinet meeting. Basuki said that he is ready to comply if the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) gives order to stop the megaproject.
Basuki said that an infrastructure project needs to pass several requirements, such is being acceptable in terms of politics, social, and economic. "Technically, it is ready. However, if [politics] orders it to stop, we will follow," he said.
Previously, Coordinating Minister of Economy Sofyan Djalil claimed that Sunda Strait project will not continue. The call to end the Rp 200 trillion worth of project comes from many consideration – among which is the Jokowi’s maritime’s concept.
Sofyan added that the project, firstly proposed in the era of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has raised doubts as to whether the project will manifest. Many claim that the construction cost is enormous and that it has only little impact toward maritime sector.
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