Prabowo: The Dilemma of Wanting High-Speed Rail While Small Towns Get Left Behind

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has said that railways must serve all members of society without exception.

He acknowledged that there is sometimes a dilemma in building high-technology railways connecting major cities, whilst on the other hand smaller towns end up being marginalised.

“Sometimes it is a dilemma — wanting a fast railway means that in the end small towns are not served. Yes, we are pursuing modernisation, we are pursuing technology, but remember that technology and all facilities exist to serve the people. I entrust this message sincerely to Kereta Api Indonesia,” said Prabowo at Tawang Station in Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday (30/7).

Prabowo noted that in many countries, railways are regarded as a public service, not merely as a means of pursuing profit. According to him, rail-based public transport is an important instrument for growing the economy of the Indonesian people.

“Railways are an instrument of the people’s economy. Railways are truly an instrument of economic democratisation,” he said.

He stated that railways bring broad benefits to society, particularly those on low incomes. Rail has a major role as an economical logistics instrument.

Prabowo said that the government would next work on the Trans-Sumatra Railway.

“After Trans-Sumatra, later there will be Trans-Kalimantan if we can start them simultaneously,” he said.