Jabodetabek`s Traffic Congestion Inflicts Rp65 Trillion in Losses

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has stated that traffic congestion in and around the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) area has inflicted some Rp65 trillion in losses per year.

"I only imagine the calculation I have received from Bappenas (the National Development Planning Agency). Every year, we lose about Rp65 trillion due to traffic congestion in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi)," he stated in a limited meeting at the Presidential Office on Tuesday.

The lost money, if allocated for development projects, could be used to develop alternative transportation modes in and around Jakarta, he noted.

Moreover, if the money is accumulated for at least five years, it could be used to develop light rail transit (LRT) and mass rapid transit (MRT) systems, he added.

"If we spent it on goods, it could become LRT and MRT. In a period of five years, it could become goods," he remarked.

Read also: Jokowi Complains of Traffic Congestion in Jakarta Greater Area

He stated that the traffic congestion cannot be left unheeded in future.

"It is unlikely for us to continue it. We must have the guts to begin designing (transport system) in such way that everything can be settled soon. We can spend Rp65 trillion on goods instead of polluting the city," he explained.

Also present at the meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister/State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara, and Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo.

The others were Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Manpower Minister Hanif Dzakiri, Chief of Presidential Staff Moeldoko, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, National Development Planning Minister/Bappenas Chief Bambang Brodjonegoro, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, and National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian.

ANTARA