China and Russia Lyrics Kereta Trans Kalimantan, Investment Value Not Calculated

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi. (Teddy Kurniawan VOI)

JAKARTA - The government has begun looking for investors to build the Trans Kalimantan train line and connect the Trans Sumatra network. China and Russia are the two countries that have shown interest in projects in Kalimantan.

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi said the government had coordinated with PT Kereta Api Indonesia or KAI to prepare a roadmap for the two projects.

"We have coordinated with KAI and have prepared the roadmap. From there, we hope that there will be investments, both from within the country and abroad, to work on Trans Sumatera and Trans Kalimantan," said Dudy at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, August 6.

According to Dudy, some train lines in Sumatra are already available. The government just needs to connect the network that is still separate.

The condition is different in Kalimantan. The Trans Kalimantan line must be built from the beginning because the inter-regional train network is not yet available.

"If Trans Sumatera, some of it is already available. We just have to connect it. If Trans Kalimantan, we have to start," he said.

Dudy said the Trans Kalimantan project had been explored with prospective investors from within and outside the country. China and Russia are among those who have been invited to communicate.

Talks with Russia had previously been carried out during the presidency of President Joko Widodo. The government is now reopening the negotiations, including with China.

However, the value of the investment has not been calculated. The government is still waiting for business studies and proposals from prospective investors.

"They are trying to calculate, then they will submit a proposal to us," said Dudy.

He said the feasibility of the project would determine which route would be worked on first.

For Sumatra, KAI is considered more interested in developing logistics transportation. Meanwhile, projects in Kalimantan have received more attention from China and Russia.

"Which one do they think is more feasible to work on. If it's Sumatra, KAI's logistics are more interested. If it's in Kalimantan, it seems that China and Russia are more interested," he said.

Dudy also ensured that Danantara would be involved in discussing the project because KAI was under the investment management agency.