Government Integrates Toll Road to New Palembang Port - Papua Corner
The government, together with several State-Owned Enterprises (BUMNs), has begun preparing the integration of toll road development leading to the New Palembang Port in Tanjung Carat, Banyuasin, as an international downstreaming hub on Wednesday (13/5/2026). According to Kompas, this plan was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by relevant ministries and red-plate companies.
The synergy involves the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, the South Sumatra Provincial Government, PT Hutama Karya (Persero), PT Bukit Asam Tbk, and PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero). The project aims to accelerate the distribution of flagship commodities from South Sumatra and surrounding areas to global markets.
Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Deputy Head of BKPM, Todotua Pasaribu, emphasised that strengthening infrastructure connectivity is an absolute requirement to support the national investment strategy. According to him, adequate transportation access will facilitate the flow of logistics from downstreaming industries.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is part of perfecting the grand plan for developing the New Palembang Port in Tanjung Carat as an international port and downstreaming hub in South Sumatra,” said Todotua.
South Sumatra Province is considered to have abundant natural resources, ranging from the energy sector, oil and gas, to coffee and rubber plantations. The integration of this toll access is designed to connect these commodity sources with the main Trans-Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) network.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is part of perfecting the grand plan for developing the New Palembang Port in Tanjung Carat as an international port and downstreaming hub in South Sumatra,” said Todotua.
Secretary of South Sumatra Province, Edward Candra, affirmed the status of the Tanjung Carat Port development as a National Strategic Project (PSN). The local government has prepared the land and discussed the development scheme in depth.
“This port remains part of the National Strategic Project; the land has been prepared, and the development scheme has also been discussed,” said Edward.
South Sumatra Provincial Government provides full support in facilitating the project’s needs and resolving potential field obstacles. This is done to ensure the smooth progress of strategic cooperation between the government and BUMNs.
President Director of Hutama Karya, Koentjoro, explained that connecting toll access to Tanjung Carat is crucial for optimising the JTTS function. As the manager, the company wants to ensure the toll functions effectively as a connector for strategic economic areas.
“As the developer and manager of JTTS, Hutama Karya views this plan as part of efforts to strengthen the toll road’s function as a connector for strategic areas,” said Koentjoro.
This inter-agency collaboration step is expected to accelerate the development of connectivity to the port. The project’s acceleration is projected to have a broad economic impact on businesses and communities in the South Sumatra region.