"Efforts to revitalize hundreds of railway stations are very important and should not be underestimated. They can become major tourist attractions," he said during the inauguration of the revitalized Semarang Tawang Station in Semarang, Central Java, as quoted in an official statement on Thursday.
According to Prabowo, preserving historic railway stations can attract both domestic and international visitors interested in cultural and heritage tourism.
He said the preservation of railway stations is also part of the country's efforts to safeguard its historical legacy while advancing development across various sectors.
"Preserving our railway stations means preserving our history. More importantly, it is part of our national transformation across all sectors," the president said.
Prabowo also called for improvements to station facilities with greater attention to cleanliness, orderliness, and environmental aesthetics.
"We are transforming our image. Indonesia must be clean, sustainable, and beautiful. There should be no litter and no neglected buildings," he said.
He noted that improved transportation infrastructure, combined with the preservation of historic buildings, would help strengthen tourism in various regions.
The president added that revitalizing railway stations also contributes to national transformation by improving the quality and maintenance of public infrastructure.
Prabowo inaugurated the first phase of the restoration of the heritage building at Semarang Tawang Station. The project was carried out by PT Kereta Api Indonesia Operational Area 4 Semarang over a period of 240 days, from May 5 to Dec. 30, 2025.
Semarang Tawang Station is a Type A railway station serving nearly all passenger train services operating through Semarang City.
During the first half of 2026, the station recorded strong operational performance, ranking as Indonesia's fourth-busiest railway station with more than 2.15 million passenger departures and arrivals. It also achieved an on-time departure rate of 99.45 percent.
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Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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