Luhut Insists Infrastructure Development In Bali Continues Despite Pandemic

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Instagram @luhut,pandjaitan)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stressed that infrastructure development in various sectors in Bali should continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Even though we are in a pandemic period, but development must continue," said Minister Luhut while chairing the Coordination Meeting on Regional Development and Acceleration of Infrastructure Development in Bali Province held virtually, Monday, May 10.

In a written statement, as reported from Antara, Tuesday, May 11, explained, based on previous studies, the area in Bali will be categorized based on its theme.

First, the Sarbagita area (Denpasar-Badung-Gianyar-Tabanan) will be an urban area; Ceginangan or Celuknginang (Celukan Bawang-Gilimanuk-Negara-Pengambengan) will be functioned for industry, metal and fisheries; Sikubatula (Singaraja-Kubutambahan-Batur-Tulamben-Amed) as a marine tourism and geopark; Ulikalung (Ubud-Bangli-Karangasem-Klungkung) will be a cultural tourism; Santipagamani (Sanda-Baturiti-Pancasari-Plaga-Kintamani) as a location for agro-industry and agrotourism; and Nusa Penida and its surroundings (Nusa Penida-Nusa Ceningan-Nusa Lembongan) for marine tourism, aquaculture, and animal husbandry.

A number of infrastructure projects discussed in the meeting include the construction of cultural centers and the protection of the Besakih Holy Area as well as the construction of roads such as the Mengwitani-Singaraji section shortcut, the Kusamba-Padang Bai-Amlapura Section road, and the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road.

Furthermore, the development of Sangsit Buleleng Port, Amed Karangasem Port, Crossing Port, and marina port in Gunaksa, continued development of Sanur Triangle Port-Bias Munjul-Sampalan (Mentigi), and revitalization of Gilimanuk Port.

In addition, the meeting also explored the acceleration of the construction of the new airport of North Bali and the planned construction of the North Bali and South Bali railways.

The meeting also discussed the construction of dams or reservoirs, the Drinking Water Treatment System (SPAM), and Waste Treatment into Electrical Energy (PSEL). Some of the SPAM facility developments discussed are SPAM from Sidan and Tamblang Dams, Burana-Titab Regional Spam development, continued construction of several dams or reservoirs, and the construction of PSEL Sarbagita.

"Last Friday President Joko Widodo has inaugurated PSEL at the Benowo landfill which is a national pilot project. PSEL Sarbagita can imitate the system that is there," added Minister Luhut.

Another thing discussed in the meeting was about the development of electric vehicles.

"This is related to a joint agreement between the Government of Bali Province and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on the determination of Bali Province as a national area of clean energy," said Minister Luhut.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster gave the provincial government support to the electric vehicle program. The Provincial Government of Bali itself continues to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

In addition to achieving cost efficiency worth 15-30 percent compared to conventional fuel-based vehicles, KBLBB can also reduce emissions by up to 10-20 percent of Bali's greenhouse gas emissions.

"Including the creation of The Governor of Bali Province Regulation No. 48 of 2019 concerning the Use of Battery-Based Electric Motor Vehicles (KBLBB), the establishment of electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLU), and the gradual electrification of transportation," said Wayan Koster.