Prabowo Orders KAI Chief to Build Trans-Sumatra and Kalimantan Railways

President Prabowo Subianto has set an ambitious target for the development of the national railway network, asking PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) to immediately realise a Trans-Sumatra Railway line connecting Bakauheni in Lampung to Banda Aceh. Not stopping at Sumatra, he also wants the construction of a Trans-Kalimantan network to begin as part of a grand vision to strengthen Indonesia’s connectivity. In his speech, the President urged all levels of PT KAI and national leaders to abandon narrow mindsets. He stressed that infrastructure development must be driven by a grand vision commensurate with Indonesia’s potential. “I want the Indonesian Railways to grow rapidly, extensively, and greatly. Our nation is great. So I ask all officials, officers, and leaders to think big. Have a big heart. Do not think small or petty. Have a great spirit, great aspirations. Hang our aspirations as high as the sky,” said Prabowo during the inauguration of the first phase of revitalisation for the Stasiun Semarang Tawang cultural heritage building in Central Java. After expressing his appreciation to PT KAI, the President immediately unveiled the strategic project he hopes will become a new milestone in national transport development: a cross-Sumatra railway line connecting the island’s southern tip to its northernmost point. “After this, the Trans-Sumatra Railway from Bandar Lampung, where is the southernmost point? Bakauheni, to the northernmost point, Banda Aceh,” he stated. In front of the invited guests, the President then sought a direct commitment from PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin and Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi to realise the project. “Can KAI do it? Can the Transport Minister?” Prabowo asked. The question was answered in unison by both officials with a resounding “Ready, we can.” Hearing the response, Prabowo quipped that a leader must dare to give their aides heavy tasks to achieve developmental leaps. “We must give them heavy duties, not light ones,” he said. Beyond building connectivity in Sumatra, he also revealed plans to expand the railway network to Kalimantan. He expressed hope that the two major projects could proceed in parallel as a symbol of Indonesia’s optimism in facing the future.