TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - General Manager Corporate Secretary of PT KCIC Eva Chairunisa explained that the governments of Indonesia and China have agreed upon the operation and maintenance consortium (OMC) of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Train (KCJB). According to Eva, the operation of high-speed rail necessitated human resources with specific skills.

In relation to that, Indonesia and China agreed that the initial phase of KCJB's maintenance and operation will be conducted by the consortium from both countries' companies, namely China Railway Engineering Corporation and PT KAI. "Meanwhile, the budget for KCJB's OMC is agreed for no more than Rp1 trillion every year," Eva said in a brief text message on Friday, September 15, 2023.

However, PT KCIC is currently preparing for 1,100 local manpower by December 2023 with special qualifications and experience in the field of railways to conduct KCJB's operation and maintenance. The manpower will first go through several phases of training.

Presently, there are 240 Indonesian workers in training at Indonesian Railways Polytechnic in Madiun. The training is conducted in cooperation with a number of Chinese railway colleges such as Southwest Jiaotong University and Tianjin Railway Vocational and Technical College.

"The handover of operation and maintenance from the consortium to local manpower will be conducted gradually with a target of 1 to 2 years," Eva said.

Previously, Tempo's anonymous source reported that the negotiation process from KCJB's OMC is still ongoing. The source mentioned that up until August 29, there were several points that failed to reach agreements, including the budget. Reportedly, China Railway Engineering Corporation offered Rp1.8 trillion while PT KAI offered Rp52 billion.

However, the allegation was denied by the President Director of PT KCIC Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi or Edo. "The [KCJB's OMC] is ongoing. Consensus has been reached," he said last Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Edo explained that the technology for the first high-speed rail in Indonesia completely came from China. Thus, he said, it is reasonable for the first operation to be conducted by the Chinese company, China Railway Engineering Corporation. However, Edo added, KCIC also gradually prepares human resources to substitute the Chinese manpower.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

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