Jokowi Claims Citizens Long for More Toll Road Development

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo claimed that he received many requests for toll road development from Indonesian citizens. The requests were made after citizens enjoyed benefits from the toll roads he built over the years.

"The request for toll road development is not only in Java, not only in East Java but every time I visit a region they would always wish for it," said Jokowi after inspecting the traditional market in Rampal Field, Malang City, East Java on Monday, July 24, 2023.

According to Jokowi, the governors, regent, mayor, and regional government officials believed that toll road was able to trigger new points for economic growth. This is due to the mobility acceleration of people and goods. "Since they see the benefits, the requests multiply," said Jokowi.

Jokowi mentioned that the central government is focusing on development outside of Java. As for Java, Jokowi will green-light the toll road development if the investment rate qualifies. If the internal rate of return (IRR) calculation is not yet qualified, the development could be given through a State Equity Participation (PMN) mechanism to a state-owned enterprise or the development could be managed by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR). Everything is still being calculated, including the ones in East Java and Malang," said Jokowi.

1,848 Kilometers of Toll Roads Developed

In the 9 years of his Presidency, Jokowi has developed around 1,848 kilometers of toll roads. This was five times longer than during the era of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) who built 350 kilometers of toll road.

The Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) of the PUPR Ministry reported that until March 2023, the government has developed 1,848.1 kilometers of toll road, or 264.01 kilometers on average every year. Previously at the end of 2014, the total length of active toll roads was 789.82 kilometers. Thus, the total length of the toll road until March 2023 was 2,623.51 kilometers. The number was exponentially bigger than in 2019 with 1,298.3 kilometers. In 2024, Jokowi targets that toll roads will reach 3,196 kilometers.

The Head of BPJT Danang Parikesit said that there are 70 toll roads managed by 49 toll road enterprises. In detail, the total length of toll road in Java is 1,716.15 kilometers, 738.46 kilometers in Sumatra, 97.27 kilometers in Kalimantan, 61.46 kilometers in Sulawesi, and 10.07 kilometers in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara.

M. JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

Editor's Choice: Jokowi Claims to Have Started Road Repairs in Lampung, Jambi

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News