AHY Unveils The Challenge Of Building The Jakarta High Speed Train In Surabaya

Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Development (Menko IPK) Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) received a special task from President Prabowo Subianto to continue the construction of the Jakarta 'Surabaya High Speed Train.

AHY said that currently the discourse on extending the high-speed rail project to Surabaya is still under study.

Although previously the Bandung Jakarta High Speed Train had realized, according to him, further investigation needed to be carried out in detail.

The reason is, the plan is a big project that requires large funds.

"This fast train is certainly still under study. Once again this is something big, a big project. So, we want to complete it first (the study and deepening process)," said AHY at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for IPK, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 13.

In addition, he did not deny that there were a number of challenges to realizing it. "Because we also already have the experience of the Jakarta Fast Train "Bandung" and cooperation between the Indonesian government and China. We want to make sure that apart from experience, anything becomes lessons learned, whether there is anything we can improve in the future. But there is also a best practice, good things can also be our reference," he added.

In addition, he did not deny that there were a number of challenges to make them happen.

"Because we also have experience with the Jakarta Fast Train "Bandung and cooperation between the Indonesian government and China. We want to make sure that apart from experience, anything becomes lessons learned, whether we can improve in the future. But there is also a best practice, good things can also be our reference," he added.

In addition, AHY assessed that the Surabaya high-speed rail project mega has a much bigger challenge compared to the Jakarta "Bandung" project.

According to him, the aspect of land acquisition is still a major challenge in realizing the mega project.

"To build the Jakarta Fast Train track, it is challenging, challenging, including land and so on. You can imagine if you are pulled up to Surabaya, passing through many provinces including districts, cities," he said.

"It will definitely take time for us, not only across ministries/agencies, but also between the central government and the regions. So, please be patient, we will continue to process this," continued the Chairman of the Democratic Party.

In addition, said AHY, the President also asked himself together with the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani to coordinate closely with various parties, both at home and abroad, who have the interest and the ability to work on the project.

"The president also encouraged us, including me and the Minister of Investment to communicate with various parties, at home and abroad who have interests and also capabilities, of course, based on the principle of mutual benefit," he explained.

AHY ingin agar proyek besar itu benar-benar sukses dan tidak ada kendala berarti, baik dalam hal teknis maupun keberlanjutan penganggaran pada tahun-tahun mendatang.

"Kami ingin sekali lagi pastikan lebih dahulu segala sesuatunya feasible (layak)," pungkas dia.

AHY wants the big project to be really successful and there are no significant obstacles, both in terms of technicality and budgeting sustainability in the years to come.

"We once again want to make sure everything is feasible (decent) first," he concluded.