President to Inaugurate 895 Inter-Village Bridges Today
President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to inaugurate 895 inter-village connecting bridges via virtual link, with the ceremony centred on Jalan Bayah-Cikotok, Bayah Barat Village, Lebak Regency, Banten Province, on Thursday.
The hundreds of bridges, built on a self-help basis by 30 regional police forces (Polda) across various regions, are part of the National Police’s Merah Putih Presisi bridge development programme.
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who also serves as the President’s spokesperson, explained that the 895 bridges connect a total of 1,314 villages across Indonesia and are used by approximately 2 million people. The total length of the bridges reaches 19.2 kilometres.
“These bridges help open access between hamlets and villages, improve safety, and make it easier for communities to reach schools, health facilities, places of worship, and centres of economic activity,” Prasetyo said in his statement.
At the inauguration site specifically, the bridge on Jalan Bayah-Cikotok connects Bayah Barat Village with Darmasari Village. The bridge provides direct benefits to around 8,000 residents.
As part of the inauguration proceedings, Pras, as Prasetyo is affectionately known, said the President will also greet members of the public who are following the inauguration virtually from various regions.
Regarding the Merah Putih Presisi bridge programme, Pras said the government appreciates the mutual cooperation demonstrated by the National Police, carried out collaboratively with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), local governments, foundations, volunteers, technicians, and the community.
“The presence of safe and proper bridges is expected not only to strengthen regional connectivity, but also to open up access to education, basic services, and community economic activities,” Pras said.
Of the 30 regional police forces involved in bridge construction, 10 Polda recorded the highest number of bridges built, with Banten Regional Police at the top with 145 bridges, West Java Regional Police with 137 bridges, Riau Regional Police with 110 bridges, and Central Java Regional Police with 86 bridges.
This was followed by South Sumatra Regional Police with 81 bridges, North Sumatra Regional Police with 75 bridges, East Kalimantan Regional Police with 74 bridges, East Java Regional Police with 52 bridges, Aceh Regional Police with 25 bridges, and Jambi Regional Police with 17 bridges.