Prabowo to Launch Renovations at Historic Semarang Tawang Station

President Prabowo Subianto is set to visit Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday, July 29, 2026, to inaugurate the initial phase of renovations for the Semarang Tawang train station. This landmark building, recognized for its cultural heritage, is undergoing a significant restoration project.

The renovations are being carried out by the state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Operational Area 4 Semarang over a 240-day period, concluding on December 30, 2025. The project's primary goal is to meticulously restore the station's facade to its original design, conceived by Dutch architect Sloth-Blauwboer and constructed between 1911 and 1914.

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This inauguration marks the initial phase of KAI's grand plan to restore the facade of Tawang Station to its original form, as designed by Dutch architect Sloth-Blauwboer and built by the Nederlandsch-Indische Maatschappij (NISM) from 1911 until its inauguration in 1914.

As a designated cultural heritage building, the renovation process adheres strictly to Law No. 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Heritage. Cultural heritage experts are involved to ensure the preservation of the building's historical value. The initial phase includes upgrades to the luxury waiting room, VIP room, main hall, corridors, and drainage system to mitigate flooding.

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This renovation aims to restore the authenticity of the historical architectural facade, address issues of waterlogging and tidal flooding, while also improving facilities and service comfort for customers.

Semarang Tawang Station is a crucial Class A station, handling nearly all passenger train services in the region. It ranked as Indonesia's fourth busiest station in the first semester of 2026, with over 2.15 million passengers and a 99.45 percent on-time departure rate. Beyond its operational significance, the station is a symbol of national history, notably as the departure point for the first "Kereta Luar Biasa" (Extraordinary Train) in 1945 and a stop for President Soekarno during negotiations after the Battle of Semarang.

President Prabowo's attendance underscores the government's commitment to balancing the preservation of national cultural heritage with the development of modern infrastructure. The initiative aims to keep historic buildings like Tawang Station productive while safeguarding their cultural and historical significance for future generations.

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The government strives to encourage synergy between historical heritage preservation and modern infrastructure development, allowing historic buildings like Semarang Tawang Station to remain productive without diminishing their cultural and historical value for future generations.