China And Russia Are Interested In Working On A Railroad Network Project Outside Java

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation)

JAKARTA - The government revealed that there are two countries interested in developing rail network projects outside Java. The two countries are China and Russia.

This development is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives to expand the rail network in Trans Sumatra, Trans Kalimantan, and Trans Sulawesi or referred to as trans railways. Thus, development is not centered solely on the island of Java.

"Those who are interested are China. Then the beginning that I know is that Russia is also interested," said Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi at a media briefing, in Jakarta, written on Saturday, December 6.

Apart from China and Russia, continued Dudy, the United States (US) has also established communication with the government. However, the US has not decided and is still in a wait and see position regarding this rail network expansion project.

"Yesterday we just met with America. They are not specific. But indeed they are interested in developing trains," said Dudy.

Especially for Kalimantan, Dudy said that the feasibility study (FS) for the development of trains in the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) is still being discussed by three parties, namely PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAl, IKN Authority, and private sectors.

Dudy said, later the results of the FS carried out by the IKN Authority will be matched with FS KAI and the private sector, before determining the most profitable rail development model economically, especially for logistical needs.

"We are developing a trans railway (trans Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi), especially logistics ones. Because in Kalimantan there are many areas that require logistics transportation so that it is hoped that it can reduce the transportation costs there," he said.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto planned to immediately realize the construction of the Trans Sumatra, Trans Kalimantan, and Trans Sulawesi rail projects.

According to Prabowo, with train transportation, logistics costs will decrease, competitiveness will increase, and people's welfare will increase.

"So later, I will give instructions to the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure to plan for a good Trans Sumatra Railway, Trans Kalimantan Railway, Trans Sulawesi Railway," he said at a press conference for the inauguration of Tanah Abang Baru Station, Tuesday, November 4.

Prabowo emphasized that the existence of the three train projects is very important to support passenger mobility as well as logistics distribution, especially to transport produce such as palm oil, rubber, coffee, tin, nickel, and various mining commodities from remote areas to ports.

"I think all of them. Sumatra needs to be because it is also not only for passengers, but especially for goods. For logistics. For our agricultural products in the interior to be taken to the port. Palm oil, rubber, coffee, tin, nickel mines, a lot. Instead of using lots of trucks, damaged roads, running out of fuel, electric trains, we really lower economic costs," he said.