TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government is looking for ways to resume the light rapid transit project that was hampered by financial issues. However, solutions to the issues have not been apparent, although the government has held a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace.

"We will hold another meeting to discuss the [project's] financing scheme," Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said at the Presidential Palace on Monday, February 6, 2017.

Under the presidential regulation on the light rapid transit, the project must be developed using funds from the State Budget. However, it was later discovered that the project value was too big to be fully financed by the State Budget. For instance, the cost of a light rapid transit project development in Palembang, South Sumatera, was estimated to cost Rp 12 trillion (US$902.2 billion). In addition, the light rapid transit project for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi was estimated to cost Rp 22 trillion (US$1.6 billion).

Budi did not provide any details related to financing options considered by the government for the project. However, Budi expected that the options would be available in a week's time.

Transportation Ministry's Railway director general Prasetyo Boeditjahjono revealed that the light rapid transit project in Palembang has been financed by the State Budget. Meanwhile, the solution to the issues with the project in Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi is still being discussed.

"The two projects are too big to be realized simultaneously. The project in South Sumatera can be financed by the State Budget because the value is not too big," Prasetyo said.

Prasetyo also did not provide details related to the financing schemes for the projects. Prasetyo suggested that the government should consider an investment scheme.

ISTMAN M.P.