TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo invited the public to try Trans Java Toll he tried for the first time today, December 20, 2018, by boarding a bus. Jokowi departed from Surabaya at around 08:00 a.m to try the newly-inaugurated toll from its zero points in East Java heading to Central Java.

“On Thursday, December 20, I will try Trans Java Toll road. Let’s have a trip together,” said President via a short video released by the presidential secretariats press, media, and information bureau.

President Jokowi accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and the entourage boarded a bus to pass the road which would be first operated to cater the homecoming route of Christmas and New Year.

During the occasion, five buses of the presidential entourage would pass several roads of Trans Java Toll which had been recently completed.

Jokowi would sign four inscriptions in the toll road around East Java today, namely Ngawi - Kertosono, Jombang - Mojokerto, relocation road of Porong Toll - Gempol, and Gempol Toll road - Pasuruan.

President would also pass Pemalang - Batang Toll (part of Pemalang - Pasekaran junction), Batang - Semarang Toll (part of Pasekaran - Krapyak junction), and Semarang - Solo (part of Salatiga - Kartasura).

“It is expected [Trans Java Toll] will open more employment that in line with the investment,” said Jokowi on Wednesday, December 19. Moreover, the toll road is integrated with tourism and industry area so that it will absorb more laborers.

“The toll integration with tourism and industry area is expected to boost investment in the regions around the toll,” Jokowi underlined.

The construction of Trans Java Toll involved SOEs, the Public Works and Housing Ministry, Transportation Ministry, state-owned road operator Jasa Marga, state-run developer Waskita Karya, and Infra. The toll road aimed at enhancing the connection between Indonesian regions and encouraging national competitiveness.

ANTARA