Operational Fast Train Delays To August 2023, Why?

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Operational Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train (KCJB) delayed from what was originally planned in June, postponed to August 2023.

The reason is because the government wants to make it a gift for the 78th Indonesian Independence Day.

Deputy Minister of SOEs II Kartika Wirjoatmojo explained that the operation of the high-speed train was not delayed.

He said, the mode of transportation is technically operational in June. However, it only really operates in August.

"Not backwards. We have a technical full operation in June. It's just that we let it be for a birthday gift for the 17's, and join the LRT so that it can be connected immediately later," he told reporters written Tuesday, April 4.

Regarding the withdrawal of US$550 million in debt to the China Development Bank (CDB), Tiko, Kartika's nickname, admitted that it had not been carried out.

Tiko said the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Team would fly to China to negotiate debt interest rates.

Utang (CDB) hasn't yet, hasn't. This week, the Team of Pak Luhut and the Managing Director of KAI, Ditut KCIC, went to China for final negotiations on pricing. Not finished yet, interest in interest rates. We're running 2 percent but we don't know where we can be, "he explained.

Previously, it was reported that the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) would apply for a loan of 550 million US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 8.3 trillion (assuming an exchange rate of Rp. 15,235 per dollar) to the China Depeloment Bank (CDB).

Deputy Minister of SOEs II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo said that this loan will be used to cover the cost overrun for the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project.

As is known, the Indonesian-China government has agreed on the amount of the swelling cost of the KCJB project of 1.2 billion dollars or around Rp. 18.2 trillion.

"Well, later on, we will apply for the loan portion of around 550 million dollars for the loan to be submitted to the CDB," he said at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Monday, February 13.