Prabowo: Army Chief Accomplishes Major Achievement if Bridge Construction Targets Met
Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto stated that the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD), who also heads the TNI Bridge Improvement Task Force, General Maruli Simanjuntak, would accomplish a major achievement for the nation should bridge construction targets across various regions be completed by year-end.
“If you are able to complete what you have targeted by the end of this year and next year we can complete nearly all bridge requirements across all our regions, especially those concerning our people in remote villages, it means you have done something very significant for the condition and welfare of the Indonesian nation,” Prabowo said while virtually inaugurating 218 bridges across various regions, as broadcast from the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Monday.
Prabowo conveyed that should the target be achieved, nearly all bridge requirements across various Indonesian regions, particularly those related to the needs of communities in remote villages, would be fulfilled.
The President also expressed appreciation to the KSAD and all personnel working diligently in the field to complete construction of the hundreds of bridges.
Prabowo regarded bridge construction as evidence of the central government’s presence extending to the smallest administrative levels, including villages, hamlets and settlements. The government, he said, was striving to address difficulties faced by communities, particularly in remote areas.
“In reality, suspension bridges in remote areas that are only a few metres wide and only a few metres long are actually strategically important to the government I lead. It shows that the interests of the people are what we prioritise most,” he said.
The President also stated that the success of bridge construction demonstrates the discipline, spirit, and TNI’s dedication to the people and nation.
“This bridge inauguration is once again evidence of TNI discipline, of TNI spirit, of TNI’s love for its people and its nation. The TNI’s oath is to be willing to die, willing to sacrifice body and soul for the safety of the nation and state. I believe this is the significance of these bridge inaugurations,” said the Head of State.
Earlier, KSAD General Maruli Simanjuntak stated that his force would construct 6,382 bridges across Indonesia within 2026.
Maruli said the TNI had been tasked by President Prabowo to build numerous bridges, both new structures and those requiring renovation.
“Hopefully, across all of Indonesia within a year and a half, bridge problems, even simple ones, can be resolved,” he said.
The force is targeting each Korem (military regional command) to construct 10 to 15 bridges per month, and would subsequently form multiple teams.
He expressed hope that should district governments have teams, they could assist the TNI in bridge construction.
Regarding the types of bridges being constructed, he said these consist of suspension bridges, Armco bridges, and Bailey bridges.