Heaptalk, Jakarta — The seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, inaugurated two new toll road sections in North Sumatra and Jambi Provinces. The newly opened toll roads include the Betung-Tempino section 3, Bayung Lencir-Tempino in Jambi Province, and the Indrapura-Kisaran section 2, Lima Puluh-Kisaran in North Sumatra Province.
The President emphasized that these toll roads are part of the government’s measures to expedite infrastructure development in the Trans-Sumatra network. These projects are critical to boost the country’s economic competitiveness.
“With the construction of toll roads, particularly the Trans-Sumatra network, we hope to accelerate the mobility of people, goods, and logistics distribution. This will enable each region to compete domestically and internationally, as the competition is now extremely fierce,” said President Jokowi.
President Jokowi also highlighted that toll road projects in Indonesia involve various funding sources, including private sector investments, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and the State Budget (APBN). Combining these funding sources is essential, particularly for projects with a low Internal Rate of Return (IRR), where state budget support becomes necessary.
“When the IRR is still low, inevitably, the state budget has to step in,” the President admitted.
The 34-kilometer Bayung Lencir-Tempino section 3 toll road in Jambi was completed in two years with a budget of Rp5.6 trillion. Meanwhile, the 47.75-kilometer Indrapura-Kisaran toll road in North Sumatra was developed in 2018 with an investment of Rp6.32 trillion.
Meanwhile, the Indrapura-Kisaran toll road consists of two sections:
- Indrapura-Lima Puluh up to 15.6 kilometers
- Lima Puluh-Kisaran about 32.15 kilometers
President Jokowi expressed his hope that these new toll roads would create new economic growth points in Jambi and North Sumatra, thus strengthening their competitiveness.
“This matter will enhance competitiveness and foster new economic growth points in North Sumatra and Jambi Provinces,” he stated.
The inauguration of these two roads is expected to expedite infrastructure development that supports inter-regional connectivity and strengthens local economies. The event also signifies the government’s commitment to advancing infrastructure projects that drive national economic growth and improve the welfare of communities across Indonesia.
Several government entities attended the inauguration, including Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, DPR RI Commission 5 Member Bakri, Acting Governor of North Sumatra Agus Fatoni, Acting Regent of Asahan Basarin Yunus Tanjung, Director General of Highways at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing Rachman Arief Dienaputra, President Director of Hutama Karya Budi Harto, Finance Director of PT PP M. Arif Iswahyudi, and Adhi Karya Infrastructure General Manager Rony Kusumanegara.
