Java-Madura bridge project starts

Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya, East Java

After several delays, the Indonesian government inaugurated on Wednesday the construction of a bridge connecting Java and Madura islands.

The bridge, which will be the longest in Indonesia at 5.4 kilometers in length and 30 meters in width, will cost Rp 2.83 trillion (around US$354 million).

During the ceremony in Tambakwedi subdistrict, Kenjeran, Surabaya, to install the first concrete pillar for the giant bridge, President Megawati Soekarnoputri said the project should finish as soon as possible.

"We hope that the bridge can be completed in 3.5 years, faster than the original schedule of four years," said Megawati.

At the same ceremony, Megawati also officiated the construction of thousands of houses allocated for the members of civil servants and the Indonesian Military (TNI) nationwide.

Among the attendees of the ceremony were TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, several other Cabinet ministers and Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas.

Minister of Settlements and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno, who is responsible for the bridge construction, said the construction alone would cost Rp 2.38 trillion, while the remaining Rp 450 billion was allocated for land clearance.

The funding will come from the state budget, the East Java provincial budget, state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga and a Rp 1.5 trillion loan from the Chinese government.

The bridge construction was brought to light in 1960 by Prof. Sedyatmo, a renowned architect, and was again revived by East Java governor Muhammad Noer in 1970s. Over the next few decades, the idea died down, following protests by certain Muslim groups on Madura island, who feared the project would make Madura more vulnerable to social problems.

The economic crisis in 1997 also contributed to the delay of the bridge's construction.

Many feared that after the sea barrier between Java and Madura is cleared, stiffer economic competition between people on the two islands would intensify at the expense of the Madurese.

In her impromptu speech, Megawati said, "I'll not be happy if the construction of the bridge will sideline the Madura natives."

Meanwhile, regarding the construction of housing complex for the TNI members and civil servants, Soenarno said that, under the program, the government would build more than 52,000 modest houses in 62 mayoralties/regencies nationwide. This year, the government is to complete some 15,000 houses.

For Navy personnel, the government will build 40,715 units nationwide, while police personnel will receive 52 low-cost apartments units that can accommodate 1,612 police families.

Soenarno said the government was completing preparations for a housing construction project for Air Force and Army personnel.