President Prabowo Denies Plan to Halt Infrastructure Projects, Focuses on Privatization

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed rumors suggesting that he plans to halt infrastructure projects. Instead, he emphasized that such initiatives will be handed over to private companies for execution.

“It is not true; I am not stopping infrastructure projects. Most of the infrastructure will be handed over to private companies to develop,” Prabowo said on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

Speaking at the National Consolidation Meeting of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) at The Ritz-Carlton, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, Prabowo outlined his vision to involve the private sector more extensively. He argued that private entities are more efficient, innovative, and experienced in handling infrastructure development.

“Toll roads, ports, and airports will be managed by the private sector,” the Gerindra Party Chairman added.

Infrastructure Projects Under Prabowo

A significant portion of infrastructure projects under Prabowo's administration are carryovers from the previous presidency. In May 2024, prior to leaving office, President Joko Widodo handed over at least 14 National Strategic Projects (PSN) and two new programs to Prabowo.

The 14 PSN include:

• Development of Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) Tropical Concept.
• Wiraraja Industrial Area in Pulau Galang.
• North Hub Development Project in East Kalimantan offshore.
• Neo Energy Parimo Industrial Estate in Central Sulawesi.
• Patimban Industrial Estate in Subang.
• Giga Industrial Park and Kolaka Resource Industrial Area in Southeast Sulawesi.
• Stargate Astra Industrial Area in Southeast Sulawesi.
• Surabaya Waterfront Development.
• Neo Energy Morowali Industrial Area in Central Sulawesi.
• Integrated Development in BSD City.
• Toapaya Industrial Area in Bintan, Riau.
• Harbour Road II toll road in North Jakarta.
• Inner-city toll roads in Bandung.

According to Acting Deputy for Regional Development and Spatial Planning at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso, Prabowo’s administration is tasked with overseeing 218 infrastructure projects and 15 work programs. This includes 44 existing PSN, five under transaction, and 46 projects still in preparation stages.

Ongoing Projects and New Initiatives

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that President Prabowo has directed the government to prioritize completing PSN projected for the 2024–2025 period. Of these, 18 projects are scheduled to be completed in 2024, while 30 more are expected to finish in 2025.

Airlangga also highlighted Prabowo’s interest in reviewing the Giant Sea Wall (GSW) project. The GSW, planned to extend from Jakarta to Cirebon, is designed to mitigate coastal flooding and is likely to be added to the PSN list.

Separately, Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo revealed plans to propose additional infrastructure projects to Prabowo for inclusion in the PSN list. These proposals include toll roads, dams, sports stadiums, and hospitals.

“We will present several projects that we consider suitable for continuation under this administration. However, the final decision will rest with President Prabowo, who may have different priorities,” Dody said on Friday, January 10, 2025.

HENDRIK KHOIRUL MUHID

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