TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that the government will find a way to address issues with the financing of the light rail transit (LRT) project in Palembang, Jakarta, Bogor, Depok and Bekasi.

"We will try to find a way so that the project can be completed on time," Sri Mulyani said in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

According to Sri Mulyani, the LRT project is government's commitment in the form of public service obligation (PSO), insurance and investment.

Sri Mulyani asserted that the government will use all existing instruments and mechanisms "both in and outside the State Budget" to address the financing issues. Therefore, the government would be able to execute the project with proper governance.

"There are fund sources other than the State Budget. The government is willing to provide warranty to spark confidence in important projects," Sri Mulyani explained.

The government is currently working and two LRT projects in Palembang, South Sumatera, and Jakarta, Bogor, Depok and Bekasi in Java. The value for both projects is more than Rp 30 trillion (US$2.2 billion), which is too big to be covered by the State Budget.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan claimed that the LRT project in Palembang, which was initiated to support the Asian Games in August 2018, was not hampered by financial issues. Luhut is convinced that the project can be completed before the Asian Games commences.

Meanwhile, Luhut revealed that the government is having difficulties in financing the LRT project in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok and Bekasi. Therefore, the government is looking at options to finance the project that is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2019.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI