Prabowo asks KAI not to just chase fast trains, small cities must be served

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto asked PT Kereta Api Indonesia or KAI not only to pursue modernization and service speed. He reminded the train to continue to serve the small people and small cities.

Prabowo conveyed this message when he inaugurated the revitalization of the Semarang Tawang Station Cultural Heritage in Semarang, Thursday, July 30.

According to Prabowo, the railway still plays an important role in the life of modern nations. The train is not only a means of transportation, but also an economical logistics instrument that has a direct impact on the wider community.

"The train is an economic instrument for the people. The train is a real instrument of economic democratization," said Prabowo.

He assessed that the train must be seen as a public service. Therefore, its management should not only pursue profits. The train must be efficient, but still favor low-income people.

Prabowo also highlighted the dilemma of the high-speed train development. On one hand, Indonesia must pursue technology and modernization. On the other hand, services must not leave small areas.

"Sometimes the dilemma is that they want a fast train, but in the end, small cities are not served," he said.

Prabowo asked KAI to think holistically and comprehensively. Technology must be used to serve the people, not to make services further away from the needs of the community.

He also asked for investment in the railway sector to be expanded. One of the things he highlighted was the need for better and safer crossing gates.

According to Prabowo, there are still thousands of railway tracks that need a decent crossing gate. He encourages automatic gates to be multiplied to reduce the risk of accidents.

"We have to invest more in the railway sector," said Prabowo.

On that occasion, Prabowo expressed his gratitude to the President Director of KAI who he considered had taken quick and responsive steps in revitalizing Semarang Tawang Station.

However, the main message conveyed by the President is broader than just the inauguration of the station. Prabowo wants KAI to grow, but not lose its basic function as a public service tool.

He asked the KAI ranks, officials, and leaders to think big. Indonesia, said Prabowo, is a big country that needs a strong, wide transportation network, and serves the people.

"The train must serve the people," said Prabowo.