TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi appointed Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) to lead the coordination between the central government and regional administrations of Jakarta, West Java, and Banten in light of the integration of transportation means in Jakarta Greater Area or Jabodetabek.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution confirmed the statement when met after the session in the Presidential Palace complex, Tuesday, January 8. The assignment was the result of the closed meeting in the Presidential Office, Jakarta, today, January 8.

Read: Jokowi Complains of Traffic Congestion in Jakarta Greater Area

“Pak VP is assigned [by President] to coordinate [the matter],” said Darmin.

Darmin mentioned the current obstruction in integrating public transportation in the three regions were the overlapping regulations which formed different opinions either between regional administrations or between regional and national administration.

“So, [the policy] will be unified, simplified. [However], its form is not yet decided,” Darmin said.

During a closed meeting today, January 8, Jokowi complained about the traffic congestion in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi) which caused the state loss of up to Rp65 trillion per year. Thus, Jokowi demanded better management of transportation means in the regions.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI