Minister Of Public Works Says Prabowo Never Asked To Stop New Infrastructure Projects, Including Toll Roads

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo ensured that President Prabowo Subianto never asked for the construction of new toll roads to be limited or stopped.

This was in response to the rumors circulating that Prabowo asked various infrastructure projects to be stopped, one of which was the new toll road. According to Dody, the issue is not true.

"Actually, Pak Prabowo never asked for a toll restriction (project), dam. Nothing," said Dody when met by reporters at his office, Jakarta, Friday, December 27.

Dody explained that the President's intention is the importance of focusing on development projects that are needed at this time. This means that development is really needed by the community.

"(Prabowo) just said, what is the focus today. If it is really, really necessary for the community, that's okay," he said.

In every decision related to the development project, Dody admitted that he and other ministers must first consult with Prabowo.

"I or related ministers have to say, 'Sir this is very, very necessary for the people because ABCDE, if it's not like this, sir'. He knows," he said.

Previously, the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) of the Ministry of Public Works ensured that new toll road projects that had not yet been running would be temporarily postponed following instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to stop a number of major projects.

"There were instructions and President Prabowo at that time to stop several major projects. Well, the toll road was also affected, but what we will hold first, what we will stop first, are projects that have not yet been running," said Member of BPJT Elements of Interest Sony Sulaksono Wibowo in Media Gathering Nataru 2024/2025 Astra Infra Group in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 17.

However, he said, toll road projects that have entered the construction, auction, and feasibility study (FS) stages will continue.

Sony ensures that projects that already have a work contract will not be affected by the policy of delaying new projects.

"Because there are concerns that all toll roads will stop. No. We will continue with those that have contracted," he said.