Bappenas: Sunda Strait Bridge is Not a Priority

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), Andrinof Chaniago said that President Joko Widodo has yet to include the construction of Sunda Strait Bridge in his priority programs.

"We’ll have to see the progress first. However, the President did not say that he would include the Sunda Strait Bridge into infrastructure programs,” Andrinof said on Friday, October 31, 2014.

According to Andrinof, the government feared that the project would bring about three impacts, among others:

First, the Sunda Strait Bridge can eliminate the ‘maritime identity’ of the region given the fact that the region is one of the busiest routes in the country.

"It would be better to revamp the seaports, ships and the quays. If they are not enough, we will add more,” Andrinof said.

Second, the Sunda Strait Bridge can be a paradox to the plan to evenly spread the development. According to Andrinof, the plan can be hindered if the government is forced to focus on this mega project.

Third, the construction of the Sunda Strait Bridge may affect the price of land for people’s housing. He also said that land around the bridge would be expensive and it would be more difficult to provide land for the people.

Andrinof also underlined that during the first Cabinet Meeting, the aim of development in Joko Widodo’s government to build the people and the society.

AISHA SHAIDRA