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Deputy for Coordination of Infrastructure and Transportation of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs Ridwan Djamaluddin. ANTARA/HO-Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs/sh

The Indonesian government will go ahead with the development of priority infrastructure projects despite the state budget reallocation for COVID-19 handling, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs.

"The government's budget is largely allocated for COVID-19 handling. However, it does not mean that the development of infrastructure must be stopped, as this project is aimed at meeting the public's long-term needs," Deputy for Coordination of Infrastructure and Transportation Ridwan Djamaluddin noted in Jakarta on Thursday.

Djamaluddin elaborated that infrastructure development was aimed at maintaining productivity that will further facilitate the creation of jobs for the public.

"That is the essence of infrastructure development. Hence, this must be continued. Some projects might have to be rescheduled, and we proceed with priority projects. However, clearly, we will continue the infrastructure projects, especially those that offer strategic benefits to the public," he remarked.

Djamaluddin cited as an example the development of an airport in Papua that must be completed despite its less economic benefits, as supporting the distribution of logistics and public mobility are of paramount importance.

"Although it offers less economic benefits, (the airport) will be necessary for people in the region for distributing logistics and facilitating greater public mobility," he stated.

Indonesia currently has 223 national strategic projects worth around Rp4.2 quadrillion on its priority list that has been revised several times since 2016.

The country completed 92 infrastructure projects during the 2016-2019 period, against the 144 projects that the Committee for Acceleration of Priority Infrastructure Delivery (KPPIP) had targeted to complete by 2020.

President Joko Widodo recently drew attention to the fact that despite the COVID-19 pandemic weighing down heavily on Indonesia, the development of national strategic projects must continue while abiding by the relevant health protocols.

The head of state also instructed to accelerate programs that can drive the people’s economy, such as land certification, Indonesia’s transmigration program concerning legalization of land, and the social forestry programs.

Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono stated that groundbreaking for several toll road projects will break ground this year, including the 14-kilometer (km) section 4 of the Banda Aceh-Sigli toll road, the 33-km sections I and V of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road, and the 131-km Pekanbaru-Dumai toll road. (ANTARA)