Sea in a new light: The newly built Suramadu bridge lights up the night across the strait between Surabaya and Madura Island. The 5.4-kilometer bridge, billed as the longest in Southeast Asia, will be officially inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono today (Wednesday). JP/Indra Harsaputra

Political agendas are overshadowing the official inauguration of the Suramadu bridge on Wednesday, the longest and first ever toll bridge in Indonesia, connecting Java and Madura Island.

Dozens of students from the University of Airlangga staged a rally Tuesday in front of the bridge on the Surabaya side, protesting what they called the “politization” of

the project.  

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, contesting a second five-year term in the July 8 election, is scheduled to inaugurate the 5.4-kilometer bridge, the development of which was first initiated during the Sukarno era, even though construction first began in August 2003 during the presidency of Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Protesters criticized two billboards erected near the bridge entry gate on the Madura side, that depicted the incumbent President and his wife Ani Yudhoyono, as well as East Java Governor Soekarwo and his deputy Saifulloh Yusuf. The Soekarwo-Saifulloh ticket won the gubernatorial election last year with the backing of SBY’s Democratic Party.

The billboards also read “Lanjutkan”, a popular slogan meaning “continue”, a motto being used by SBY in his election campaign.

Protest coordinator Hendrik said the inauguration of the bridge should be used for “public interest”, not as a “political commodity” to benefit a certain presidential candidate. “We regret the Suramadu bridge inauguration is being used as a campaign forum.”

Public Works Minister Joko Kirmanto said the government was still discussing the tariffs with related agencies

More than 6,500 people are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony, including foreign guests, state officials and religious leaders.

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