Jagorawi Toll Road Inaugurated By President Suharto In History Today, March 9, 1978
JAKARTA History today, 45 years ago, March 9, 1978, President Suharto inaugurated the Jagorawi Toll Road (Jakarta, Bogor, Ciawi). The presence of the first paid road in Indonesia is a symbol of the success of the New Order (Orba) development. Even the presence of Jagorawi is considered capable of bringing economic improvement.
Previously, Suharto and New Order often intensified infrastructure development. New Order believes that the presence of infrastructure can support economic improvement. Moreover, as a form of legacy, the owner of the power of work seriously.
The issue of Indonesia's development is a tough matter. Suharto has felt it. The number one Indonesian person was involved in a time of crisis through the legacy of the Old Order. Instead of building, paying Indonesia's debt is difficult, not playing.
However, Suharto did not give up. He wanted the Indonesian economy to improve. Suharto then entrusted the Indonesian economy to economists who graduated abroad later became known as the Berkeley Mafia. The test was successful.
Indonesia, which initially leaned towards the Soviet Union, turned to the United States. Capital is abundant. Indonesia can finally be free from crisis because the economy has shot up. The government can also build anything to knit Indonesia's dream of becoming a great nation.
All kinds of infrastructure development are encouraged. From office development to roads. The development was carried out everywhere. The development euphoria then made Suharto known as the Father of Development.
News of Suharto as the father of development has emerged. From appearing in the mass media to billboards in urban areas. Along with that, the New Order continued to step on the gas in development. No one stopped that step, unless there was a recession.
During the regime in power, the Indonesian people are presented with shows or broadcasts that insert New Order political propaganda, especially through TVRI television stations and RRI radio.
"The two main news channels in Indonesia have never stopped presenting news regarding the success of the Repelita (Five-Year Development Plan) program, as well as the figure of Suharto as the Father of the Nation, the Father of Development," said Dhianita Kusuma Pertiwi in the book Regarding the New Order (2021).
It is possible that the New Order government has built many things. However, the general public only recognizes the monumental ones as a national development milestone. The construction of the Jagorawi Toll Road, one of which is. The toll road construction connecting Jakarta with Bogor (59 KM) was planned in 1963.
However, its construction could only be realized during the New Order period in 1973. Its construction was funded from 40 percent of foreign debt and 60 percent of the state budget. Finally, the Jagorawi Toll Road as Indonesia's first toll road was inaugurated by President Suharto on March 9, 1978.
He ceremonially signed the inscription on the inauguration of the Jagorawi Toll Road in front of the toll gate of the Taman Mini Bridge, East Jakarta. Suharto considers the presence of Jagorawi to open the economic tap. The presence of Jagorawi made the Indonesian government more confident in building other infrastructures.
For the Government itself, the Jagorawi Toll Road is considered a symbol of development with a self-management scheme. The success and acceptance of the community towards Jagorawi also makes the Government more confident in developing other infrastructures.
"In fact, at first, Suharto, who inaugurated Jagorawi on March 9, 1978, in his speech, implies caution so that people do not misunderstand the concept of paid roads. According to President Soeharto, toll road systems are only applied to areas that have shown high development. In other words, not all roads will be implemented by the toll road system, "said Samudra Eka Cipta and Iryan Ali Herdiansyah in the Seuneubok Lada Journal entitled The Dynamics of Jagorawi Toll Road Development 1978-1979(2022).