Jakarta. The 10 years of Indonesia’s outgoing leader Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's leadership has recorded a significant progress in the Trans-Sumatra toll road megaproject.

Even days before his retirement, Jokowi inaugurated two new sections -- the Indrapura-Kisaran section 2 and the Betung-Tempino-Jambi section 3. As the name suggests, the infrastructure megaproject aims to connect the cities of Sumatra from the northern tip of Banda Aceh to the Southern tip of Lampung. The toll road -- which is set to span 2,994 kilometers -- first began construction back in April 2015, just a few months after Jokowi became president. Since then, the toll road has witnessed many expansions, and with over 1,00 kilometers of the highway already built.

“We hope that this tollway can expedite the mobility of people and goods, including logistics distribution. So every region [in Indonesia] can compete with those in other countries,” Jokowi said, when launching additional Trans-Sumatra toll road sections on Wednesday.

The massive Trans-Sumatra toll road expansion under Jokowi earned praise from the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), saying that the highway can become a major boost to the local economy. MTI’s deputy chair Djoko Setijowarno said that this infrastructure development even deserved more praise considering the many challenges that range from the Covid-19  to the geographical conditions of Sumatra itself. 

“If we want to advance as a country, we have to develop our infrastructure,” Djoko said, while hoping that Jokowi’s successor Prabowo Subianto can continue the Trans-Sumatra toll road.

The government is aiming to have the Trans-Sumatra tollway span 1,100 kilometers by end-2024. According to intercity driver Jhon, the highway has drastically cut his travel time. Jhon said it would usually take 4 hours to drive between two Lampung sub-districts of Rajabasa and Bakauheni. “It is now a 1.5-hour drive when we go from Rajabasa to Bakauheni. … The tollway also helps reduce traffic jams. I also feel safer because when I travel [on regular roads], sometimes people throw [rocks] at my bus.”

The bus passenger Berno also talked about his experience. Berno has moved from Pematang Siantar to Jakarta, but he still would go back to his hometown from time to time. The Trans-Java toll road has cut his time spent on the road.

“The journey home can take between four and five days when I take the bus. But now that we have this highway, it only takes three days,” Berno said.

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