When President Changes Car due to Engine Trouble in Lampung

President Joko Widodo checked the severely damaged road section of Gajah-Seputih Raman-Simpang Randu City, Lampung. It took more than three hours for the President to traverse the 60-kilometer road.

KOMPAS

President Joko Widodo's car passes the road in Lampung, Friday (5/5/2023) at 10.30. The President opened the car window to see the condition of the damaged road.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo got out of the presidential car, Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard with the red plate Indonesia 1 and the Red-and-White flag, in Raman Nirwana village, Seputih Raman district, Central Lampung regency, Lampung, on Friday (5/5/2023) at around 16.00.

Flanked by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, the President was walking to watch gaping holes and mud in the road section of Kota Gajah-Simpang Randu. Afterward the President had an interview with journalists already waiting there.

It turned out that the President left his car in the road section not only to check the damaged road and give journalists an interview. The President also had to move to another car because the one he had used had engine trouble.

One of the indicator lamps in the presidential car purchased during the term of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was lighting up. Presidential security guards suggested that the President use a Toyota Land Cruiser instead.

Had there been somebody pregnant, she would have given birth,

The Land Cruiser was taken from Jakarta as a reserve car and had to be used to continue the trip from Seputih Raman to Simpang Randu. From Simpang Randu, the President and his entourage returned to Bandar Lampung and further to Jakarta.

Although he had to change the car to ride in, the President only gave a “sour” smile when asked about his impression after traveling on damaged roads in Lampung. He even described the road condition in Lampung as “smooth”.

It was the President’s allusion to the poor condition of infrastructure in Lampung. “The roads were smooth. A pleasant trip. I enjoyed it. Pak Zul was dozing off, so was I,” said President Jokowi.

“Had there been somebody pregnant, she would have given birth,” remarked Zulkifli in response to the President.

ISTANA KEPRESIDENAN/AGUS SUPARTO

President Joko Widodo walks the Terusan Ryacudu Road in South Lampung Regency, Friday (5/5/2023). The road condition is badly damaged..

When inspecting damaged roads in Lampung, President Jokowi opted to use only the presidential automobile. Although a helicopter was already prepared, the President chose land travel with the routes determined by himself.

He was accompanied by Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi. Besides, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and the Trade Minister, both of Lampung origin, were also present.

The presidential tour began with an inspection of damaged roads in Jati Agung district, South Lampung, on Friday morning by riding in the Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard with the red plate Indonesia 1 and the national flag. The presidential car was rocking as it passed potholed roads in Lampung.

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After Friday prayers and lunch, the President carried on the road inspection to Central Lampung regency by the same car. From Bandar Lampung, the car went through the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll road, later exiting the the toll gate of Gunung Sugih, Central Lampung.

From this place, the President was further checking the severely damaged road section of Kota Gajah-Seputih Raman-Simpang Randu. It took more than three hours for the President to traverse the 60-kilometer road. Then the President changed the car in Seputih Raman district.

The President had the opportunity to visit Natar Market in South Lampung regency. In this market, the prices and stocks of several commodities were monitored. President Jokowi said the condition of road infrastructure had to do with prices of food and other logistic goods.

KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA

President Joko Widodo accompanied by the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan while inspecting a damaged road in Raman Nirwana Village, Seputih Raman District, Central Lampung Regency, Lampung, on Friday (5/5/2023).

By chopper

Unlike the President, who chose land routes when checking damaged roads, the Lampung Governor just went by helicopter from Bandar Lampung to Central Lampung on Monday (1/5). Arinal’s visit to Central Lampung was meant to make preparations for the President’s inspection.

At the time, Arinal along with Central Lampung Regent Musa Ahmad was carrying on the damaged road exploration in the Simpang Randu-Rumbia road section by car from Seputih district. The many wrecked roads in the area have been in the social media spotlight over the last few weeks.

Two days before the President’s visit, the gravely ravaged roads in the district were filled with stones and leveled with heavy-duty equipment. However, the repair only covered several spots. Big gaping potholes were still noticeable in many places. When the President went to Lampung, the temporarily leveled roads were just not part of the inspection.

There are actually many other critically damaged road sections, including the section of Jalan Simpang Randu-Rumbia-Seputih Surabaya.

The road section of Kota Gajah-Seputih Raman-Simpang Randu in Central Lampung regency traveled by the President constitutes a portrait of poor road infrastructure in Lampung. Apart from that, there are actually many other critically damaged road sections, including the section of Jalan Simpang Randu-Rumbia-Seputih Surabaya.

In fact, the provincial roads become the main access of public activities. They serve as vital routes for the transportation of logistic goods and agricultural commodities, particularly cassava. The access also links up with the Bratasena shrimp pond center in Tulang Bawang regency.

Based on the monitoring of Kompas on Wednesday and Thursday (3-4/5/2023), severe damage was found almost all over the roads. The greater part of road asphalt was no longer there, leaving only stones, gravel and large gaping holes. Some of the potholed roads were inundated with rainwater, while others were drying up, causing roads to be dusty.

After cruising the damaged roads, the President said the central government would provide a budget worth around Rp 800 billion for road repair in Lampung. The repair will start in June 2023 after being tendered.

The statement was cheerfully welcomed by thousands of people already waiting for the President’s arrival. Fine and smooth roads anticipated by the public for over a decade are expected to be realized soon.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.