Jusuf Kalla Likens Parts of Jakarta to Singapore, Bangladesh

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In a coordination meeting between state ministers and regional heads on Monday, January 28, 2019, Vice President Jusuf  Kalla—or popularly known as JK—touched on transportation network management across the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek), which comprises Jakarta Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. 

Prior to the meeting, JK monitored the traffic around the areas on a helicopter together with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. 

Read: Jokowi Sets JK as Coordinator of Integrated Transportation Means

“Jakarta’s Thamrin Street area resembles Singapore. But not far from that, Tanjung Priok looks more like Bangladesh,” said Jusuf Kalla during the air traffic monitoring today. 

JK said multiple questions arose in his mind following the trip. “Is transportation our only problem? Does or can transportation support the others?” he said. 

 “In other countries, wealthy people live outside of the city while the less fortunate dwell in the city’s urban areas,” JK said. 

JK added he hoped the meeting could lead to solutions to connecting Jakarta to its outskirts through transportation management.

VINDRY FLORENTIN