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Jakarta-Bandung bullet train unnecessary: House deputy speaker
(Illustration via tribunnews
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(Illustration via tribunnews.com) (Illustration via tribunnews.com)
(Illustration via tribunnews.com)
The government's decision to move forward with plans for the Jakarta-Bandung bullet train project with China as the sole investor has invited criticism from the House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fadli Zon.
Fadli questioned the urgency of the project, particularly given the government had previously canceled it.
"But now, [the government] has decided to revive the project even though feasibility studies by experts ['¦] have acknowledged that [it] is not really necessary as we already have a railroad, the Cipularang toll road, the Puncak highway and others," said Fadli as quoted by tribunnews.com on Thursday.
According to Fadli, what the country currently needed was new development and infrastructure networks to connect the capital city with other areas such as Semarang, Surabaya and Cirebon.
"The Jakarta-Bandung [route] is not urgent and will cost a lot. Although it will be a [business-to-business] cooperation scheme, there are also needs and obligations on our side," said Fadli.
He also suggested the government had not been transparent in choosing China as the project's winner.
Fadli said that the government should provide a more detailed explanation of their decision and of the project.
"Why does [the project] have to be Jakarta-Bandung? I can understand Japan's disappointment since perhaps they feel that they have more advanced technology and a better [cooperation] scheme," said Fadli. (ags/kes)(++++)
