berita

President Joko Widodo announced the release of the Surabaya - Madura Toll Bridge (Suramadu) toll tariff, in the Central Range of Suramadu Bridge, Saturday (27/8). Also attending the event were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, East Java Governor Soekarwo, and PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk President Director Desi Arryani.

President Joko Widodo said that the exemption of the Suramadu Toll Bridge tariff was not taken only by taking into account profit and loss only, but also the much greater public interest.

"The country does not count profits or losses. The country counts with regard to social justice, which is related to a sense of justice, and welfare. That is calculated," said President Joko Widodo.

The President revealed the problems facing Madura. Previously, there was an investment that tried to enter Madura. However, due to expensive logistics costs, the investment plan failed.

Therefore, with the Suramadu National Bridge Toll tariff exemption, in addition to lowering logistics costs, President Joko Widodo also wants the economy and tourism in Madura to grow even more so as to create as many jobs as possible.

"We want the tourism, property and investment sector to really move in Madura so that as many jobs as possible," said the President.

Exemption of Suramadu Bridge Toll Road tariff is contained in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 98 of 2018 concerning Surabaya-Madura Bridge. Article 1 of the Perpres stated that the operation of the Suramadu Bridge as a toll road was changed to a public road without toll. In addition, in Article 2 of the Presidential Regulation, the President of the Republic of Indonesia also stipulates that the implementation of the Surabaya-Madura Bridge as a public road without toll is carried out by the Minister who organizes government in the field of roads.

The Suramadu Toll Bridge was inaugurated by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on June 10, 2009. The Suramadu Toll Bridge is a bridge that crosses the Madura Strait, connecting Java (in Surabaya) and Madura Island (in Bangkalan, precisely Timur Kamal), Indonesia. With a length of 5.4 Km, this bridge is the longest bridge in Indonesia today. Suramadu Bridge consists of three parts, namely the causeway connecting bridge (approach bridge), and the main bridge (main bridge).

Also attending were Minister of PUPR, Basuki Hadimuljono, Director General of Highways, Sugiyartanto, Head of BPJT Herry Trisaputra Zuna, Director of Urban Freeways and Regional Road Facilities, Directorate General of Highways, Hedy Rahadian, Head of BBPJN VIII I Ketut Darmawahana, Head of Public Communication Bureau Endra. S. Atmawidjaja.