REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs held a Coordination Meeting to Prepare for the Implementation of the Development of the National Strategic Project for MRT East-West Phase I Stage I at the Jakarta Ministry of Economic Affairs Office on Tuesday (16/1/2024). The meeting was to realize efficient and integrated transportation in Jakarta and its surroundings.

The project is considered to be a step forward in developing mass transportation systems in Jakarta and its surroundings. It is hoped that the project will reduce congestion and improve inter-regional connectivity in Jakarta and beyond.

The project was realized through the support of its international partner, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has shown commitment in supporting infrastructure development in Indonesia. The East-West MRT project consists of two phases. The first phase covers the 39.3 kilometer (km) long Kembangan—Medan Satria and the second phase is 50.4 km long from Balaraja-Kembangan to Medan Satria-Cikarang.

“It's an infrastructure problem, so in the context of the National Strategic Project it's common across regions, across regions. The important thing is that the investor exists, the project manager exists, the operational later is also clear. Ownership of MRT operation is also clear, PT MRT is also clear,” said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto while chairing the coordination meeting as reported in a press release on Tuesday (16/1/2023).

On this occasion, Airlangga underlined, the East-West Phase I Phase I MRT project will not only reduce congestion, but also become a symbol of progress and innovation in the development of Indonesia's transport infrastructure. Furthermore, the signing of Minutes of Discussion Phase 1 Stage 1 between JICA, Ministry of Transportation, Bappenas, Pemprov DKI, and MRTJ in November 2023, marks a concrete step in the realization of the project.

With strong funding support from JICA amounting to three billion US dollars, the project is expected to contribute significantly to improving the quality of life and mobility of residents of Jakarta and beyond. The commitment to cooperation was also demonstrated when President Joko Widodo and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signed the East-West MRT Development Pledge on December 16, 2023.

As a follow-up to the meeting, Airlangga will soon issue a Coordinating Minister Regulation (Permenko) regarding the organization of East West MRT. It was the basis of Loan Negotiation and Loan Signing in March 2024.

He is committed to continuing to supervise and ensure the smooth development of the project, supported by strong synergies between the Central Government, Local Government, and international partners. Airlangga also stressed the importance of the project as part of efforts to improve and improve the mass transportation system in Jakarta.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi who attended the meeting supported the overall implementation of the East—West MRT project. It was agreed that the institutional project will involve the Ministry of Transportation as the executing agency, the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta as the implementing agency, and PT MRT Jakarta as the sub-implementing agency.

In terms of financing charges, it was agreed that the proportion of loans used was 49 percent on-granting and 51 percent on-lending. The Provincial Government of Jakarta has committed to the implementation of land procurement in the area of Jakarta.

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