REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- President Joko Widodo expressed relief on Friday after he personally tested the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system being built in Palembang, South Sumatra. He even felt it was better than in Europe.

"It felt better than when I rode the LRT system in Europe," the president, who is commonly known as Jokowi, said. "What made me happier is that the LRT system is made of 95 percent local materials."

Jokowi rode the maiden trip on the LRT from the Icon Mall station with his wife, First Lady Iriana. After being on the train for around 15 minutes, he and his entourage went down at the Jakabaring station located in front of Jakabaring Sport City at around 2.40 p.m. He said Indonesia should be proud because it was able to build an LRT system by itself.

"Construction was done by PT Waskita Karya while the carriages were built by PT INKA," he said. "It is only the engine which is imported from Germany. We deserve to be proud of the nation's achievement."

The Indonesian government has decided to build an LRT system to serve transportation needs during the 18th Asian Games, which will be held in Palembang and Jakarta from August 18 to September 2.

Although initially intended for a short term purpose, it is now expected to meet the long-term needs of the city, which is predicted to grow into a major metropolis.

Jokowi said the government plans to build more LRT systems in other cities such as Surabaya, Bandung, and Medan.

"The LRT will develop a new society and culture that knows how to use mass transport, how to queue, and how to be punctual," Jokowi said. "This is not easy to develop. Even advanced countries needed 10 to 15 years to adapt to it. So, for a start, the fare should probably be subsidized."

The new LRT system in South Sumatra cost Rp10.9 trillion and stretches 23.40km from the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport to Jakabaring Sport City, passing through 14 stations.

Testing for the new LRT system is on its final stages, with authorities now looking at worthiness standards before producing certificates of construction and transportation safety.

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