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Indonesian President Joko Widodo admires a model of a Chinese high-speed train in 2016. The soft launch of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has been pushed back to September. Photo: AP
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Indonesia delays opening of China-funded Jakarta-Bandung railway amid safety concerns

  • The soft launch of the high-speed railway, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has been moved to September from this month, its operator said
  • It deals a fresh blow to President Joko Widodo’s flagship project that has already suffered land disputes, cost overruns and accidents, leading to years of delay
Indonesia
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Indonesia is again delaying the opening of a China-funded high-speed train, citing safety concerns.
The soft launch of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway will be pushed back to September, instead of August 18, even if the commercial opening is still set for October 1, its operator said on Tuesday.

PT KCIC, a consortium of Indonesian and Chinese state companies behind the 142-kilometre (88-mile) railway, said more time was needed to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort.

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Is Indonesia’s China-made railway on track to launch? Jakarta says it’s ‘under control’

Is Indonesia’s China-made railway on track to launch? Jakarta says it’s ‘under control’

Safety checks were ongoing as of last Friday, according to transport ministry official Mohamad Risal Wasal.

KCIC said internal trials had gone smoothly, but the company was still working with the transport ministry on necessary operational certificates.

“The implication is more political than technical, as Jokowi had expected the rail commencement to be part of the Independence Day commemoration,” said analyst Sulfikar Amir, referring to President Joko Widodo by his nickname.

“This delay will only worsen the public image of this project,” said Sulfikar, an academic at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University whose research interests include Indonesia’s infrastructure.

Widodo has been known to set infrastructure milestones around Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17. He also plans to celebrate the national day at the new capital, Nusantara, next year.

The postponement deals another blow to Widodo’s flagship project, which has already suffered land disputes, cost overruns and accidents that led to years of delay.

The rush to get the country’s first high-speed rail running well before he steps down next year could compromise safety. Construction flaws have plagued other projects in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, including cracks found at hydropower plants in Ecuador and Pakistan.
We must not force the issue of operating licences without any guarantee of safety
Sutanto Soehodho, transport analyst

Transport analysts have criticised the rail operator’s move to seek a temporary operating permit, instead of a full licence that would require a certain safety, staffing and maintenance standards, local newspaper The Jakarta Post reported on Tuesday.

“We must not force the issue of operating licences without any guarantee of safety,” said Sutanto Soehodho, who teaches about transport at the University of Indonesia.

The project, which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, was originally set to be completed by 2019 but has been beset by problems, including a US$1.2 billion cost overrun and delays on its commercial operation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Joko Widodo during the Indonesian leader’s trip to China last month that both countries must ensure the project adheres to high standards as it nears completion

Additional reporting by Reuters

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