Prabowo Disburses IDR 5 Trillion To Add 30 Series Of KAI New Trains

President Prabowo Subianto (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto said he would provide additional capital of IDR 5 trillion to PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) for the procurement of 30 new train sets (trainsets). This was conveyed after visiting Manggarai Station and inaugurating Tanah Abang Station, on Tuesday, November 4.

Prabowo emphasized that his commitment to continue to improve the quality of public transportation services and trains is still the main means of transportation for most people.

"I give instructions that we will expand, we will enlarge it, for Jabodetabek, the president director of PT KAI said we must build additional carriages or a series? 30 new series," he said.

Prabowo also said that the proposal came from the President Director of PT KAI Bobby Rasyidin, who said that a series of trains needed funds of around US$9 million, with a total submission of Rp4.8 trillion.

"One series needs 9 million US dollars, correct? He submitted a total of IDR 4.8 trillion, right?" he said.

However, Prabowo emphasized that he had approved the provision of a budget of IDR 5 trillion to KAI, for the benefit of the people and the improvement of public transportation services.

"I agree, I even allocated it, I even submitted Rp4.8 trillion, I agreed, not Rp4.8 trillion, but I agree with Rp5 trillion. For many people, I don't hesitate. Our money is saving but the interests of the people are above all interests," he said.

Prabowo also requested that the process of procuring the new series be carried out immediately. "I ask that it be carried out in the shortest possible time as soon as possible, how many months can it take, the President Director of KAI? How much?" Prabowo asked.

Responding to this, Bobby estimates that the process will take about six months. However, Prabowo gave a maximum deadline of one year for the project to be realized immediately.

"I've given him 1 year. Later he's stressed that he can't sleep. If you can get 6 months, okay. But 1 year you have to. These people are witnesses, right? So later there will be an additional 30 new series," he said.