Japan Finally Agrees To Work On The HI-Kota MRT Rail System After 3 Times Failed Tender

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi (left). (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PT MRT Jakarta (Perseroda) has succeeded in collaborating with Japanese company Sojitz Corporation to work on the MRT Jakarta contract package (CP) 205 Phase 2A project. After previously having failed the tender three times.

This collaboration was marked by a signing carried out at the HI MRT Station this afternoon. The CP 205 itself includes the construction of a signal system, telecommunications system, operational system, power (power), and rail (track work) for the HI Roundabout to City route.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that with this cooperation, Indonesia and Japan could continue the MRT project to Jakarta City.

"I feel proud that Indonesia and Japan can consistently continue the MRT project which will be continued until Jakarta City," he said when met at the Bundaran HI MRT Station, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 17.

MRT CP 205 Project Had Three Failed Tenders

Meanwhile, the President Director of MRT Jakarta, Tuhiyat, said that the MRT CP 205 project had experienced three failed auctions or tenders.

Tuhiyat explained that the cause was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This condition makes the search for contractors experience many obstacles.

To note, the scope of this work process had failed to tender three times. The failure to find contractors, especially those, was due to external factors, including the COVID 2019 pandemic, "explained Tuhiyat.

Not only that, Tuhiya said that geopolitical turmoil conditions, and supply chain disruption also had an impact on fulfilling raw materials for the construction of the railway project.

"Then there was war in various parts of the continent, geopoliticals, and the scarcity of semiconductors, and so on which the supply chain was disrupted at that time," he said.

"In 2023 we will restart the tender process using the International Competitive Bidding or ICB. Until February 20, 2024, a letter of acceptance was obtained with Sojitz Corporation as the winner of the tender," he continued.

Regarding the contract value of the 205 CP project, Tuhiyat said the value was almost IDR 4.2 trillion. He also said the cooperation contract for the construction of the 205 Phase 2A MRT project would end in 2029. The hope is that MRT Jakarta Phase 2A will be able to operate until the City route in 2029.

The capital of Hotel Indonesia to Monas, namely in 2027, operates. As for Harmoni to this city, the continuation is estimated at the end of 2029," said Tuhiyat.