Remembering Young Age As A "Anker", Prabowo Admits He Likes To Ride Trains

President Prabowo Subianto made a speech on the agenda for the inauguration of the "new face" Tanah Abang Station, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (4/11/2025). (ANTARA/Andi Firdaus)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto revealed another side of his youth as a loyal user of train services or commonly known to the public as "rail children" (anker).

In a statement at the inauguration of Tanah Abang Baru Station, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, the Head of State called the train a mode of public transportation which at that time was an important part of his trip to a place and elsewhere.

"I was very impressed because when I was young I was taking the train all the time. I am the person who likes trains the most," he said through the Presidential Communication Team in Jakarta, which was confiscated by Antara.

For the President, his love for trains is not only a memory of the past, but also a reason why the mass transportation sector is a big concern in his government's work agenda.

"Railways and all mass transportation, mass transit systems, are part of the life of modern society that is very, very, very strategic and very vital," he said.

Prabowo assessed that the existence of efficient mass transportation is a sign of the progress of a nation.

According to him, safe, affordable, and comfortable public transportation is not only a matter of mobility, but a matter of social justice provides equal opportunities for all levels of society to move, work, and carry out activities easily.

President Prabowo assessed that the national rail system has extraordinary potential to continue to be improved both in terms of service and track range.

"Indonesia's train with all its systems was reported to me carrying passengers one year 486 million. 486 million passengers boarded our train system," he said.

This figure, continued the President, shows that this mode of transportation has a vital role for the community and the national economy.

"And indeed our train system will be the focus of attention from the government programs that I lead," he said.