TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the government expected the construction of the light rail transit or LRT Bali to kick-start in 2024.

Luhut revealed which foreign investors would be involved in the project. “What is certain is Korea, Japan, and China,” he said in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

According to him, the government would cooperate with any party supporting the project. “We welcome any party that wants to transfer technology quickly and cheaply. So we don't have any preference,” he added.

On Sept. 27, President Jokowi ordered cabinet ministers to conduct a further feasibility study regarding Bali’s first rail transit system. This was conveyed by Luhut after a limited meeting on public transport integration at the Jakarta Merdeka Palace.

Luhut confirmed that his ministry together with the Transportation Ministry would enhance the existing studies related to the project. He argued that if the LRT is not realized immediately, Bali will see a buildup of passengers. “In 2026, we will be stuck at the airport for three hours if it (the LRT) is not constructed.”

Luhut also explained that the LRT Bali will have underground tracks from the Ngurah Rai International Airport to the tourist hubs, Seminyak and Canggu.

When met separately, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi disclosed that the LRT Bali will serve routes from Canggu to Ngurah Rai Airport. However, he said that President Jokowi would announce the detailed route directly later.

YOHANES MAHARSO JOHARSOYO

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