Prabowo Tasks KAI Chief with Trans-Sumatra and Trans-Kalimantan Railway Projects

President Prabowo Subianto has given a ‘heavy task’ to the President Director of PT KAI, Bobby Rasyidin, following the launch of the ‘Nusantara Explorer’ luxury train. Prabowo is targeting the state-owned railway company to immediately complete the Trans-Sumatra and Trans-Kalimantan railway projects.

Speaking at the inauguration of the refurbished Semarang Tawang Station in Central Java on Thursday, Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the launch of the tourism train. He then outlined the challenging assignments ahead for PT KAI.

‘Congratulations on your work. I want the Indonesian Railways to develop 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,’ he said.

Prabowo highlighted the Trans-Sumatra Railway project, which will connect Lampung province to Aceh. He asked Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi and KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin to commit to the instruction.

‘Next is the Trans-Sumatra Railway from Bandar Lampung, what is the southernmost point? Bakauheni, to the northernmost point? Banda Aceh. Can KAI do it? Can the Minister of Transportation? We give them heavy tasks, do not give them light ones,’ he stated.

Prabowo further announced that they would also be tasked with working on the Trans-Kalimantan project, suggesting it could even be done simultaneously with the Sumatra railway.