Major problems on Trans-Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Travelers and motorists have complained about the poor condition of the road in almost all sections of the Trans-Kalimantan Highway.

The South Kalimantan provincial administration has remained silent despite the fact that the road damage was mainly caused by overloaded trucks carrying gold and coal from companies in the province that have agreements with the local government.

"Unlike East Kalimantan, the South Kalimantan administration has no budget to repair the highway and so far, the authorities have not yet taken any action against overloaded trucks using the highway," said a staff member at the local transportation office who requested anonymity.

The World Bank has recently offered a financial aid package to help repair the strategic highway, and thus boost development programs in remote areas on Indonesian Borneo. (--JP)