Rasyidin told ANTARA in Beijing that President Prabowo Subianto had instructed the company to begin expansion during his first term.
“Like it or not, we have to start in 2026. The President wants it implemented and completed within his first term,” he said.
The directive follows Prabowo’s speech at the inauguration of Tanah Abang Station on Nov. 4, where he ordered KAI to complete 30 new rail extension points and train sets within a year, and begin rail development in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
The expansion aims to support the movement of key commodities such as palm oil, rubber, coffee, tin, and nickel, strengthening national logistics and connectivity.
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Rasyidin is in China with Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, Director General of Railways Allan Tandiono, and other officials for meetings in Beijing, Qingdao, and other cities, including discussions with the Chinese transport minister.
“In China, we’re also exploring financing options for large-scale projects such as in Kalimantan, where we plan to develop a railway network entirely from a greenfield,” Rasyidin said, referring to new infrastructure built from scratch—covering tracks, bridges, tunnels, and signaling systems.
Under Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Regulation No. 16 of 2025, the “Logistics Railway Infrastructure in East Kalimantan” has been designated a National Strategic Project.
Rasyidin added that KAI would also expand networks and upgrade capacity in Sumatra, modernize Java’s existing lines, and extend Sulawesi’s railway—currently 83 kilometers—to reach North Sulawesi, completing its planned 300-kilometer length.
Other projects listed in the regulation include the Makassar–Parepare Railway, Tebing Tinggi–Kuala Tanjung line supporting the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone, Rantau Prapat–Kota Pinang Railway, East Kalimantan Logistics Railway, and South Sumatra Light Rail Transit (Palembang Metro).
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Translator: Desca Lidya Natalia, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
