Toll road infrastructure: Assessing the attractiveness of Rebana
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Bisnis Indonesia - Infrastruktur jalan tol: Menakar daya tarik Rebana
14 July 2023
President Joko Widodo’s visit to Kertajati West Java International Airport (BIJB) in Majalengka is keeping the hope for the future of northern West Java or Rebana alive.
From the back door of his office in Gedung Sate, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil ran to his official car. Then, the car sprinted to Pullman Hotel where President Joko Widodo stayed the night on Tuesday (11/7).
As he did not have the time to catch his breath, his face still looked tired even though he had just rested in his room. Even though he had been accompanying President Joko Widodo from Majalengka to Sumedang since morning, he still accompanied the President that night to go to West Java Creative Market on Jalan Pahlawan in Bandung.
Despite his packed schedule, Ridwan Kamil admitted that he was happy. That day, President Jokowi inaugurated Cileunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan (Cisumdawu) toll road. The toll road that was 12 years in the making is finally operating.
“I am delighted and overjoyed as the [construction] process that took 12 years is very long [for] a toll road construction,” he said to Bisnis.
The realisation of a large infrastructure, such as Cisumdawu toll road, proves that a construction needs to go through a long and winding process. Ridwan Kamil is thankful as the toll road was completed during the administration period of Jokowi and himself as the governor of West Java.
“It is a lesson for us because we cannot make anything appear instantly by magic,” the Governor said.
According to him, Cisumdawu toll road will complete the land infrastructure access to Kertajati Airport in Majalengka that has been connected to a toll road access from Cikopo to Palimanan since 2021.
“It is amazing that it has been inaugurated by the President. [Travel time] from Bandung to Cirebon usually takes 6 hours, not it will only take 70-75 minutes. When I tested it, it took 45 minutes to go to Kertajati Airport,” Ridwan Kamil said.
Not only time efficiency, economic activities and investment in Rebana Metropolitan Area will also be accelerated by Cisumdawu toll road.
The toll road completes the existing infrastructures of Patimban Port in Subang, Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, and Cikopo-Palimanan toll road.
“[Travel] from Bandung to Sumedang usually takes 2 hours, now it only takes 30 minutes. Imagine the economic activities that can be carried out and the growth,” he stated.
The Governor is optimistic about the future of West Java with Rebana becoming more open with completed infrastructures.
“Cisumdawu [toll road] is a gate to Rebana, which is the future of West Java that is located at the end of Cisumdawu toll road that will create 13 new growth centres,” the Governor stated.
According to him, President Joko Widodo is committed to developing the future of the Rebana area. The commitment derives from Presidential Regulation No. 87/2021 on Development Acceleration of Rebana Area and Southern Part of West Java Area.
His agency sees that the President’s commitment to Rebana is firm and clear. The President’s affirmation regarding the plan to divert flight routes from Husein Sastranegara Airport to Kertajati Airport in October has become a reference.
“The booming will occur in October. Tourist flights will be diverted from Husein [Sastranegara Airport] to be more adequate. We will have many good news after October,” he said.
During his visit to Majalengka, President Joko Widodo appreciated the increase in flights in Kertajati BIJB in Majalengka even though there are no daily routine flights.
“I am happy as the activities in Kertajati Airport are already very good. Now, it has been used for Hajj embarkation for 8,000 pilgrims from seven regencies/cities in West Java,” the President said in his statement.
Besides Hajj embarkation, the President mentioned that Kertajati International Airport has served numerous international flights, including Umrah flights four times a week and Kuala Lumpur-Kertajati flights two times a week.
“Later, it will carry out full operation in October. So, [flights] from Husein Sastranegara Airport will be diverted to Kertajati [Airport], especially flights that use jets,” he said.
Economic cake
Rebana Managing Agency (BP) that coordinates area development in the seven regencies/cities in Rebana is optimistic about the future of the area.
Rebana BP Head Bernardus Djonoputri said that there were six positive aspects from President Joko Widodo’s visit. The six aspects are believed to accelerate economic growth in the Rebana area.
“The President’s visit ensures that Kertajati [Airport] will continue to move forward. It also ensures that Kertajati [Airport] is a gate for Rebana to reach the global world. It is clear,” he said to Bisnis.
According to Bernie, his nickname, Kertajati Airport is an international gate with a catchment area that is almost half the size of West Java, which includes East Priangan, northern West Java, the area from Bandung to Pangandaran, and some of Central Java.
“I predict that the population in Kertajati’s catchment area reaches 20 million people. The market is already excellent, and there will be Hajj and Umrah [flights] every year. So, the future of Kertajati as an airport is already answered,” he said.
Bernie reckoned that the President’s visit could increase flights in Kertajati Airport. With the President’s affirmation, Kertajati’s preparation to be an international airport will be accelerated, especially with jet fuel price equalisation for airlines and new flight routes.
“Next, the President is also committed to improving the connectivity from Kertajati [Airport] to the hinterlands by connecting Cisumdawu and land connectivity to accelerate passengers,” he said.
Then, his agency is also optimistic about the growth of the cargo business and the aerocity being followed by the growth of the modern warehouse business in Kertajati Airport.
“Last but not least, tourism in Cirebon and Kuningan as future destinations in West Java,” he stated.
Kertajati Airport in Majalengka that is currently connected to Cisumdawu toll road is expected to benefit neighbouring areas.
Sumedang Regent Dony Ahmad Munir said that there were many investors who came to his regency to see Sumedang Industrialpolis.
The area in Sumedang has many advantages as it is travelled through by Cisumdawu toll road and located near Kertajati Airport and Patimban Port.
“Sumedang is continuously looking for the best investors domestically and internationally. It is expected to provide benefits, increase economic growth, and create jobs,” he said.
Several weeks ago, Dony led delegates to go door to door to several potential companies in China. He is optimistic about Buahdua-Ujungjaya-Tomo (Butom) Area attracting investors to do business in Sumedang.
“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God) two investors from China, Aiwood Cabinetery and ZX Power, came to see Sumedang Industrialpolis in Buahdua Subdistrict,” he explained.
Aiwood Cabinetery is a smart furniture company in Yixing City in China that is planning to expand and open a factory in Indonesia.
To sell their products to countries in the Americas, Aiwood is interested in investing in Indonesia to facilitate their production and export.
Meanwhile, Cirebon Regent Imron Rosyadi is also hoping that Kertajati BIJB will be a gate for investors to expand to Cirebon Regency.
