Significant Progress in Transportation Infrastructure in the Era of President Jokowi, National Connectivity Increases Rapidly
The government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has recorded significant achievements in the air, sea and land transportation sectors over the past ten years. Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi, emphasized that the development of air transportation infrastructure has increased connectivity and supported economic growth in hard-to-reach areas.
“The development of air transportation infrastructure in the country has made significant progress. This is important to improve connectivity, accessibility, and mobility of the community, as well as encourage economic growth in areas that were previously difficult to reach,” said Budi Karya.
During Jokowi’s decade-long administration, 27 new airports have been built, including in the outermost, remote, underdeveloped, and border areas (3TP). In addition, the Ministry of Transportation has rehabilitated and developed 64 other airports, such as extending runways and improving terminal facilities. This aims to improve the safety and comfort standards of flight services, especially in areas that were previously difficult to reach by conventional air transportation.
In addition to air transportation, the maritime transportation sector has also experienced rapid progress. Director General of Sea Transportation, Antoni Arif Priadi, explained the achievements of the maritime sector through the construction of 28 new ports and the rehabilitation of 165 ports in various regions of Indonesia. One important achievement is the Sea Toll Program which now serves 39 routes and has succeeded in reducing the disparity in prices of basic necessities between the western and eastern regions of Indonesia.
“The Sea Toll is the backbone of national logistics distribution. With the Sea Toll, the price disparity of goods in the western and eastern regions of Indonesia can be significantly reduced,” said Antoni.
In addition, Transportation Observer from the Sumatra Institute of Technology (ITERA), IB Ilham Malik, also appreciated Jokowi’s commitment to building infrastructure, especially the Trans Sumatra Toll Road.
“Yes, first of all, we certainly appreciate President Jokowi’s commitment for the past 10 years to build infrastructure,” said Ilham. According to him, the construction of the toll road is a long-standing dream of the people of Sumatra that has been realized.
“The development of toll road infrastructure on Sumatra Island has been a dream of many people for a long time,” he continued.
With these various achievements, transportation infrastructure in the Jokowi era has become an important pillar in strengthening national connectivity and supporting economic development in various regions, especially in remote and outermost areas.
