Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and\nRegional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has stressed that\nconnectivity development in Indonesia cannot rely solely on tolled\nroads, but must be reinforced with sea and air transport.<\/p>\n
According to AHY, the approach to infrastructure development in\nIndonesia cannot be equated with continental states that rely on road\nnetworks. As an archipelagic country, Indonesia requires a more\ncomprehensive connectivity strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cDevelopment must not be Java-centric. We are not a continental\ncountry, so connectivity development cannot follow the playbook of\ncontinental nations,\u201d AHY said at the Ikatan Alumni SMA Taruna Nusantara\n(Ikastara) event in Jakarta on Saturday.<\/p>\n
He explained that countries such as the United States, China, India,\nand Russia have large, connected continental landmasses, making land\ninfrastructure development the backbone of connectivity.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, he said Indonesia, a maritime nation with more than 17,000\nislands, requires a balance between land, sea, and air transport.<\/p>\n
AHY emphasised that strengthening inter-island connectivity is key to\npromoting balanced development while reducing national logistics\ncosts.<\/p>\n
Without an integrated transport system, the distribution of goods and\nservices would remain costly and impede economic growth in various\nregions.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and\nRegional Development highlighted the importance of transport safety in\nlight of a number of incidents recently, particularly in the rail\nsector.<\/p>\n
He stressed that system improvements and strengthening safety and\nsecurity measures must be a priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety of transport is paramount. Not only for trains but all\nmodes of transport must receive serious attention,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition, AHY stressed the importance of reducing logistics costs\nto improve the efficiency of development and economic growth.<\/p>\n
He noted that the Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR) indicator\nis heavily influenced by the affordability of transport, both for human\nmobility and the distribution of goods and services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more efficient transport costs are, the lower construction costs\ncan be, and we can focus more on growth and productivity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Moreover, AHY highlighted the importance of sustainable\ninfrastructure development that is resilient to disasters.<\/p>\n
He referred to major disasters that occurred at the end of last year\nin several regions such as Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, which\nhad a wide impact on communities and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
He said such conditions show the need for more resilient construction\nwith appropriate innovation and technology, as well as adequate budget\nsupport.<\/p>\n
Separately, the government is targeting the construction of a\nKalimantan railway network spanning 2,772 kilometres as part of efforts\nto strengthen connectivity and logistics distribution in the region.<\/p>\n
He said the plan is still in the calculation and thorough planning\nstage.<\/p>\n
The government will also form a dedicated committee involving various\nministries and agencies to accommodate input and refine the planning of\nthe national rail network.<\/p>\n
AHY added that development should not only focus on growth but also\non equity. He said that without broad distribution of development, its\nbenefits would not be felt by all communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout equity, development is pointless. Therefore, we must ensure\nthat growth and economic development are distributed across all regions\nof Indonesia,\u201d AHY said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ahy-indonesias-connectivity-development-cannot-rely-solely-on-toll-roads-1779531573", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }