Jokowi: Many Regional Heads Apply For Toll Road Construction

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) gave a statement to reporters after visiting the people's market, at Rampal Field, Malang, East Java, Monday (24/7/2023). ANTARA/Abdul Malik Ibrahim

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that many regional heads have proposed to build toll roads in their respective regions to stimulate economic growth and accelerate mobility.

"This is a request for the construction of the toll road not only in Java, not only in East Java, every time I go to the area the demand is always that," said Jokowi after reviewing the people's market, at Rampal Field, Malang, East Java, reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 24.

The President said regional heads asked for the construction of toll roads, because they saw that the existence of toll roads could trigger new economic growth points, accelerate the mobility of people, goods, and logistics.

"So because of its benefits, there are many requests," said Jokowi.

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The President said that currently the priority of toll road construction is still outside Java. However, Jokowi said that development can be carried out on the island of Java as long as the Eternal Rate of Return (IRR) or interest from investment is profitable.

"As long as the IRR comes in, welcome. But if it's the IRR, the Internal Rate of Return is still not feasible, that's where PNM can be given to SOEs or done by the Ministry of Public Works," said Jokowi.

According to President Jokowi, all toll road construction applications will be seen and calculated, including the construction of toll roads in East Java.