REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Transportation Ministry is ready to take over the light rail transit (LRT) system in Jakarta, that was suspended due to a financing problem, an official said.

Speaking at a discussion on "Progress in the development of railway system in Indonesia" on Tuesday, Director General of Railway Affairs at the Transportation Ministry, Hermanto, said his side is waiting for President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to take a decision in this regard.

The president is expected to decide on the issue of continuation of the project at a limited meeting.

"We will be ready if the project is financed by the state budget and by state-owned companies as a result of the decision taken in the limited meeting," he said.

Debate about the possibility of the ministry taking over the project surfaced after the Jakarta city administration objected to the total cost of the project, estimated at Rp100 trillion.

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, wrote to President Jokowi, asking the government to finance the LRT project through the state budget funds on the ground that it traverses through more than one province.

"The Transportation Ministry will carry out its task as per the decision taken in the limited meeting. If the president orders (the continuation of the project), the Finance Ministry will be responsible for providing funds," he said.

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