TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fadli Zon demanded President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo to free Jakarta-Bogor-Ciawi or Jagorawi Toll Road of any toll fee. “I suggest, Pak Jokowi to free make Jagorawi toll free as it [has been opened] for 40 years [thus far],” said Fadli through his Twitter account @fadlizon on Sunday, Oct. 28.
Earlier on Saturday, Jokowi announced that all vehicles are free to use the Suramadu (Surabaya-Madura) bridge without toll fee in a bid to boost the economy in Madura District. Jokowi explained the decision followed request conveyed by local figures, religious figures, and Madura Family Association (IKAMA) to make the bridge toll tariff free.
According to Fadli, Jokowi should free Jagorawi toll fee considering the state had gained profits from the toll road thus far. “The country and toll operator have earned many profits [from the toll road],” he added.
Jagorawi toll road, he continued, should be not listed as a source of government revenue as Indonesia has many toll roads at an expensive fee. “Use the land as a form of service; not a business such as toll roads with a high tariff. That is an achievement; not a mere pretentiousness,” he noted.
Jagorawi was the first toll road in the histroy of Indonesia that was built during the era of President Soeharto in 1973. The 50-kilometer long toll was launched on March 9, 1978.
SYAFIUL HADI