SOE Minister On Used KRL Imports From Japan: Only To Cover Up Short-Term Needs Gap

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir ensured that the import of used electric rail (KRL) from Japan was carried out only to cover the short-term needs gap.

"Even if there are imports, like maybe what we ask for. Because it only covers what is called a gap from the needs of the next 6 months or 7 months," he said in a meeting with Commission VI of the DPR, written Tuesday, June 6.

Erick said this import was carried out to meet needs while waiting for the production of PT Industri Keteta Api (IKA) to be completed.

The reason, continued Erick, was based on the results of a meeting with INKA and PT KAI, there was passenger growth that exceeded the prediction after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Therefore, said Erick, while waiting for INKA production, the import of used trains from Japan is a quick solution to meet the short-term needs of train users.

"Of course, thank God, for Indonesia this is a positive thing. Therefore, I have checked INKA itself, indeed to follow the supply of train needs yesterday, one of which is to import but must be accompanied by this production itself," he said.

Erick said, to increase INKA's ability to produce trains, he together with the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and the Minister of Industry agreed to inject funds of IDR 3 trillion through the State Capital Participation (PMN) in cash for the 2024 fiscal year.

The funds, continued Erick, will be used by INKA as additional capital to anticipate the growth of train needs for new carriages.

"This INKA restructuring requires an additional IDR 3 trillion. So there is an equilibrium between the production of carriages and also an increase in the number of train needs themselves," he explained.