Fate of MLFF System Implementation Remains Uncertain as Government Focuses on Feasibility Testing

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo has emphasised that the implementation of the Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system in Indonesia cannot yet be confirmed. This is because the system is still in the trial phase and has not been declared feasible.

The government is currently prioritising technical testing before making a decision on widespread implementation.

Dody stated that the initial MLFF trial conducted previously did not produce clear conclusions regarding the system’s success. “The first trial in Bali last time didn’t yield any conclusions. Whether it will be a success or not,” he said, when met by the media at the Rest Area KM 379 Batang, Semarang, Central Java, on Saturday, 28 March 2026.

Therefore, the government has decided to conduct a re-trial involving more parties to ensure more comprehensive results. He emphasised that this process will go through several stages in accordance with the agreed contract.

“There are several trial stages that we must complete,” said Dody.

According to him, the main focus at present is not on accelerating implementation, but on proving whether the MLFF system is truly suitable for use in Indonesia. “So we’re talking first about testing whether this system is feasible or not,” he stressed.

He explained that MLFF is an unsolicited government and business entity cooperation (KPBU) project, where the private sector offers the technology to the government. However, to date, the technology’s capability to meet Indonesia’s needs has not been fully proven.

Dody also responded to claims from several parties that the MLFF system can speed up transactions to just around 20 seconds. He assessed that such claims cannot be used as a reference without valid trial results.

Furthermore, he emphasised that conditions in Indonesia differ from other countries that have implemented similar technology. Factors such as weather, signal interference, and traffic conditions pose unique challenges for high-tech systems like MLFF.

“It might work in their country, perhaps. But Indonesia is different, with weather and all sorts of things,” he said.