Prabowo inaugurates 218 bridges built in 2.5 months, praises swift TNI work
President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated 218 bridges constructed across various regions, including disaster-affected areas such as Aceh, whilst commending the rapid work of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in completing the construction.
In a video conference from Jakarta on Monday, Prabowo stated that the inauguration covered 77 Bailey bridges, 59 Armco bridges, and 82 pioneer bridges built within approximately 2.5 months.
“With the invocation of Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon on Monday, 9 March 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate 77 Bailey bridges, 59 Armco bridges, and 82 pioneer bridges,” Prabowo said, as quoted in a live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
The President described the completion of the hundreds of bridges as evidence of the dedication of TNI personnel and local officials in assisting communities affected by disasters and regions requiring connecting access. Prabowo commended the Task Force for Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, specifically the Bridge Task Force led by Chief of Army Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, for their hard work in constructing both large and small bridges.
According to the President, the bridge construction also demonstrates the presence of the central government extending to village and remote levels, ensuring that communities are not left to face difficulties alone.
“This is proof once again that the central government, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, is present. Present at the smallest levels. In villages, hamlets, and remote settlements. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia will not abandon its people to suffering and hardship,” he stated.
President Prabowo also expressed pride in the TNI for demonstrating its commitment as a people’s army and national force working for the interests of the entire nation, from western to eastern Indonesia. He expressed that he had not anticipated hundreds of bridges could be completed in such a short timeframe. He requested the Task Force Chairman to submit a list of all personnel from various units involved to receive recognition for their contributions.
Furthermore, the President noted that the bridges constructed, including suspension bridges spanning tens of metres in remote areas, are critically important as they help communities overcome access difficulties, including for children who must cross rivers when going to and from school.
“Now I can sleep more peacefully because children in remote villages no longer need to cross rivers in dangerous conditions threatening their safety. Our children in remote areas no longer need to sit in class in wet clothes, returning from school in wet clothes,” the President said.
On this occasion, Prabowo also extended thanks to TNI personnel deployed across various regions, including commanders, unit leaders, and territorial officials involved in the bridge construction.
“My thanks to you as your President, as your Supreme Commander. My gratitude, my pride, my respect that I lead an army so devoted to its people, so spirited, so willing to sacrifice everything for the interests of the nation and people we love,” he concluded.
Present at the inauguration were Defence Minister Safrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi, Commander of the TNI General Agus Subiyanto, Vice Commander of the TNI General Tandyo Budi Revita, Chief of Army Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.