Jokowi Clears Pandaan-Malang Toll Fare until Eid Homecoming

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has inaugurated three sections of Pandaan - Malang toll, East Java, Monday, May 13, 2019. The inauguration took place in Singosari tollgate, Malang.

The President hoped that the new five sections of toll road could facilitate the mobility of goods, people, and service to boost the economy of Malang city.

"Hopefully, the toll road can accelerate goods, service, and people mobility so Malang Raya can truly be a tourist destination that is connected with this toll," he said in a written statement received by Tempo.

He said that Malang City as a tourism and education city would be helped by the toll existence, and could even accelerate the growth of the city and its surrounding regions.

"I think this toll is really hopeful in developing the tourism and education sector in the city and surrounding areas," he remarked.

The three toll sections span 30.625 kilometers, connecting Pandaan until Singosari. The construction of the fourth and fifth section was still on progress and was expected to complete by the end of this year. The complete section of the toll will reach 38.488 kilometers.

The toll operation was also aimed to support the Eid homecoming and will be operated free of charge during the homecoming season. "I have spoken to the toll owner, Minister of SOE, to free this toll until lebaran [Eid el-Fitr]. And she agrees," the President said.

The travel trip from Pandaan to Singosari initially took 45 to 60 minutes in normal condition. With the new toll road, the time was reduced to 20 to 30 minutes.

Accompanying Jokowi during the inauguration event were Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, SOE Minister Rini Soemarno, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, State Secretariat Pratikno, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Malan Mayor Sutiaji, Malang Acting Regent Sanusi, and Pasuruan Regent Irsyad Yusuf.

EGI ADYATAMA