Foreign Minister Lemmy Announces British-RI Railway Cooperation In Surabaya

British Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development David Lemmy (ANTARA/HO-British Embassy)

JAKARTA - British Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development David Lemmy announced the cooperation between Britain and the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation in carrying out a feasibility study of the Urban Railway System in the Metropolitan Area of Surabaya, East Java.

"I am happy that we are working with the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation in a feasibility study for the Urban Railway System in Surabaya. Such an initiative shows the potential of British-Indonesian partnerships, not only for daily life in our cities, but to realize a sustainable future for our planet," said Lemmy as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, October 21.

Britain-Indonesia's partnership in the transportation sector is growing following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries on transportation cooperation in 2022, which aims to strengthen cooperation in all transportation sectors through development programs and deepen political and trade ties.

The project is funded by the UK Green City and Infrastructure Program, with UK consultant Mott Macdonald and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) carrying out the study.

The program is also part of Britain's wider commitment to support the development of green infrastructure in cities in Indonesia and further strengthen relations with regions in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the British Ambassador to Indonesia, Dominic Jermey, assessed that this rapid progress further strengthens cooperation in British-Indonesian transportation.

"Transportation development is very important to support economic growth and connectivity, and we are proud to work with Indonesia to develop a sustainable public transportation system," he said.

According to him, Britain is the world's leader in railway development, including parent planning, station design, transit-oriented development, and interconnectivity.

"While we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Britain and Indonesia, I am happy to see Britain working with Indonesia throughout the archipelago, and believe in the success of this partnership," he said.

Foreign Minister Lemmy arrived in Jakarta on Sunday (20/10) to attend the inauguration of the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.

While in Jakarta, Lemmy visited Dukuh Atas Station to see various public transportation developments in Jakarta supported by the UK.

Through the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) program, the UK has collaborated with the Ministry of Transportation of Indonesia and the Provincial Government of Jakarta to support transit-oriented development (TOD) in Dukuh Atas and build accessibility and inclusiveness in the design of stations and surrounding infrastructure.

British companies Mott Macdonald and Crossrail International also support the operational readiness of the Jabodebek LRT, which was also monitored directly by Lemmy while visiting the station.