Monorail Not Logrolling Project: Governor

Jakarta, Oct 21 (Antara) - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has denied allegations that the reconstruction of the long-halted Jakarta Monorail is a logrolling project in favor of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri. The 30-kilometer monorail project was initiated by Megawati, who is also the general chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP); however, construction stopped some five years ago due to financial difficulties. "This is a matter of business relations with PT Jakarta Monorail. If (the company) chooses to cooperate with Mr JK (for example), that is their own affair," Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, said at City Hall here on Monday. He noted that the reconstruction of the monorail project was intended to provide a transportation facility for Jakarta commuters who really needed it. "Jakarta needs such a transportation system," he added. Jokowi admitted he was surprised to learn that the reconstruction of the project was seen as serving the interests of former president Megawati who had previously announced the project. "If we construct another project, this does not mean that we are serving another party. Of course not. If we build a mass rapid transit (MRT) system, will that also be considered as serving someone else? Of course not," he asserted. Earlier, transportation observer Darmaningtyas had said the governor began the reconstruction of the monorail project to serve the interests of PDIP general chairman Megawati Soekarnoputri because Megawati had initially announced it. Darmanigtyas, however, admitted that the statement was based on his own opinion, which was not necessarily shared by others. Last week, Jokowi inaugurated the reconstruction of the Jakarta Monorail project, which had been neglected for several years. The US$1.5 billion monorail project, which is expected to ease Jakarta`s heavy traffic jams, came to a grinding halt five years ago due to financial problems, though monorail pillars had already been installed in several sections across the city. "With thanks to God, today, we will resume construction on the project. There will be no pillars lying around idle and unused," Jokowi said while inaugurating the groundbreaking ceremony in the Kuningan area of South Jakarta on Wednesday (Oct. 17) last week. The 30-kilometre-long track comprises the 14.5-kilometre Green Lane (Kuningan, Dukuh Atas, Pejompongan, Senayan, Gatot Subroto, SCBD) and the 15.5-kilometre Blue Lane (Kampung Malayu, Tebet, Casablanca, Tanang Abang, Mall Taman Aggrek Mall).