Indonesia Turns to China, Russia for Trans-Kalimantan Railway
August 7, 2026 | 09:20 amTransportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi speaks to reporters after attending a working meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V at the parliamentary complex in. . .
August 7, 2026 | 09:20 amTransportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi speaks to reporters after attending a working meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta, June 4, 2026. TEMPO/Nandito Putra. TEMPO. CO, Jakarta -Indonesia is seeking investment from Russia, China, and domestic investors to develop the planned Trans-Kalimantanrailway,Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said on Thursday, asreported byAntara. The investment drive followsPrabowo's directive to the Ministry of Transportation and state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to accelerate the development of the Trans-Sumatra and Trans-Kalimantan railway networks. "We have coordinated with KAI, which has prepared its roadmap. We hope to attract both domestic and foreign investment to develop Trans-Sumatra and Trans-Kalimantan," Dudy told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday evening. He said parts of the Trans-Sumatra network are already in place and only require additional links, while the Trans-Kalimantan railway would have to be built from scratch. Russia and China Among Potential InvestorsAccording to Dudy, the government has begun approaching both local and overseas investors, with Russia and China among the countries expressing interest in the Kalimantan project. "We have reached out to domestic and foreign investors, including Russia and China," he said. The minister said it is too early to determine whether the Trans-Sumatra or Trans-Kalimantan project will be developed first, as the timeline will depend on investors' commercial assessments. "It depends on which project investors consider more viable," Dudy said. "KAI appears more interested in expanding logistics infrastructure in Sumatra, while investors from China and Russia seem more interested in Kalimantan. "He added that discussions with prospective foreign investors are already underway. "Communication has taken place. They are currently evaluating the projects and will later submit proposals to us," Dudy said. Prabowo Pushes National Rail ExpansionLast month, Prabowo instructed KAI and the Ministry of Transportation to begin work on the Trans-Sumatra railway before continuing with the Trans-Kalimantan network during the inauguration of the revitalized Semarang Tawang railway station in Central Java. "After Trans-Sumatra, we'll move to Trans-Kalimantan. If possible, let's start both at the same time," Prabowo said, as quoted byAntara. The president said the Trans-Sumatra railway is expected to connect Bakauheni, at the southern tip of Sumatra in Lampung Province, with the island's northernmost region, making it a priority infrastructure project. AddressingKAIPresident Director Bobby Rasyidin and Transportation Minister Dudy, Prabowo challenged both institutions to deliver the project. "Can KAI do it? Minister of Transportation? We'll give them the task. 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