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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Indonesian Ministry Urged to Improve Roads in 'Pacu Jalur' Region

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Indonesian Ministry of Transmigration is urged to help improve road infrastructure in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau.
  • The region, known for its 'pacu jalur' tradition, faces challenges with 36.84% of its roads needing attention, particularly in former transmigration areas.
  • The Ministry is considering opening new transmigration areas, acknowledging the historical success of transmigrant settlements in creating new growth centers.

The Indonesian Ministry of Transmigration (Kementrans) has been urged to assist Kuantan Singingi Regency in Riau with its pressing road infrastructure needs. The regency, famous for its world-renowned 'pacu jalur' traditional boat race, is grappling with significant development hurdles, chief among them being inadequate road conditions.

The roads that are not yet paved are ruined when it rains and dusty when it's hot.

— H. MuklisinPlt. Regent of Kuantan Singingi, describing the poor road conditions.

Plt. Regent of Kuansing, H. Muklisin, highlighted the issue during a meeting with Deputy Minister of Transmigration Viva Yoga Mauladi in Jakarta. Muklisin stated that out of the regency's total road length of 1,588.906 km, a substantial 36.84% requires urgent attention. He described the unpaved roads as becoming "ruined when it rains and dusty when it's hot," emphasizing the need for Kementrans' support. The regency is seeking assistance to pave 78.99 km of roads this year.

Viva Yoga acknowledged the concerns and noted that while Riau has only one designated transmigration area ('Kawasan transmigrasi Pulau Rupat' in Bengkalis Regency) according to ministerial decrees, Kuantan Singingi has several existing transmigration settlements. These include locations in Simandolak, Teluk Kuantan, Taluk Kuantan, Lipat Kain, and Singingi, encompassing 27 settlement units and housing 12,301 families.

Therefore, support and assistance from the Ministry of Transmigration are needed.

— H. MuklisinPlt. Regent of Kuantan Singingi, requesting help from the Ministry of Transmigration.

These transmigration settlements, established primarily in the 1980s, have historically been successful in fostering new growth centers. The transmigrants and their descendants have diversified into various professions. Deputy Minister Viva Yoga pointed out that the current Plt. Regent, Muklisin, is himself a child of transmigrants, illustrating the long-term impact of these settlement programs. The Ministry is reportedly open to discussions about opening new transmigration areas, recognizing their potential for regional development.

Mr. Regent Muklisin is also a child of transmigrants.

— Viva Yoga MauladiDeputy Minister of Transmigration, highlighting the personal connection to transmigration programs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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