Questioning The Swelling Cost Of Fast Trains, Minister Of SOEs: If We Are Corrupted, We Will Brush It!

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir highlighted the cost overrun of the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Rail (KCJB) project.

He emphasized that if the swelling was caused by corruption, then his party would not remain silent and would brush anyone involved.

"Don't just swell. If the swelling is corrupted, we will brush it," he said when met at Pasar Senen Station, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 18.

Even so, Erick assessed that the cause of the swelling of project costs being carried out by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC) was actually very clear. One of them is due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, Erick said this condition made material prices soar.

"But it's swollen due to COVID-19. Steel goes up, it happens everywhere... that's the jinging of the disrupted supply chain supply chain," he said.

"Then now, if we calculate the development now and yesterday, it is more or less expensive, what goes up is not only iron, but also rising in the world, I am sure that the calculations per kilometer (km) are still cheaper, the important thing is not to corrupt," he continued.

Regarding the continuation of this project, Erick emphasized that it is impossible for KJCB to be welcomed. This means that the government will continue its construction.

"If Mr. Luhut has delivered the fast train, the results of the negotiations on how this fast train must run, it is impossible for us to be outspoken," he said.