The Very Persuasive Madam Minister

On Wednesday afternoon last week, top officials of Pilar Sinergi, a state-owned enterprise (SOE) that works on the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project, met with Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan at the ministry on West Merdeka Square in Jakarta. Pilar Sinergi's commissioner Sahala Lumban Gaol, CEO Dwi Windarto, Wijaya Karya's CEO Bintang Perbowo and Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI)'s logistics and development director Hanggoro Budi Wiryawan all attended the meeting. Wijaya Karya is leading the consortium that is Pilar Sinergi, while KAI is another member of the consortium.

In the hour-long meeting, Jonan explained the regulations that Pilar Sinergi must comply with before holding its groundbreaking event scheduled for November 9. The stipulations in question included the establishment of a legal entity with a definite location, address, and person in charge. According to their plan, Pilar Sinergi, in cooperation with China Railway International, would form Kereta Cepat Indonesia China. Other required documents include a recommendation for a regional zoning plan from the governor, various technical studies and a ground plan for where the railway will pass. Jonan also asked Pilar Sinergi to conduct an environmental analysis and regional study and secure an infrastructure construction license.