President Open To Inputs On High-Speed Railway Project

Jakarta (Antara Bali)- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is open to any inputs from various parties regarding the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project, according to a presidential spokesman.

"After the groundbreaking ceremony for the implementation of the high-speed train project, there are inputs, which we have read in public, including from members of the Parliament and also from community groups. Of course, the president listens to them," Johan Budi S.P., presidential special staff in charge of communication, stated here, Wednesday.

He, however, hoped that relevant ministries such as the state enterprises ministry, transportation ministry, and environmental affairs and forestry ministry would also respond to comments on the project.

Despite President Jokowi's tight schedules involving domestic and overseas visits, he has constantly followed the latest developments, including on the project.

The president decided to proceed with the implementation of the project after receiving inputs from his related ministers.

"Amid the decision, concerns were later raised by the public, for instance, on the licensing aspect," he stated.

The president also continues to evaluate the project.

"There will likely be a meeting to discuss this issue," Budi added.

The project was decided after a long process, not an instant one, he pointed out.

"What I have heard is that the project has been under discussion since a year, including its assessment on environmental impacts (Amdal) that has been evaluated for the past six months," he noted.

After the project's groundbreaking, different opinions surfaced, which have been taken as inputs by the president.

"Those are inputs for the president. Yes, of course, the president will again ask the relevant minister about it," Budi stated.

President Jokowi officiated the groundbreaking of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project in Cikalong Wetan, Bandung District, West Java Province, on January 21.

The project is estimated to cost US$5.5 billion, with 75 percent of the financing coming from the China Development Bank (CDB) and the rest from Indonesia's state enterprises.

The construction work on the PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC-Indonesia-China High-Speed Railway) project begins in early 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2018. (WDY)