REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo stated that government prioritized on connectivity in Eastern Indonesia. He said that sea toll was the answer to accelerate connectivity in the region.

"Connectivity in Eastern Indonesia is our priority for the next five years," Jokowi said during Regional Development Planning of Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua and Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), on Monday, December 8.

Maluku, for instance, has 1,430 islands. It needs infrastructure to connect those islands. Jokowi said sea toll was the right answer for the need.

According to Minister of Transportation Ignatius Jonan, Eastern Indonesia needs around 1,000 ports to connect every island. Every port must have scheduled ship. "Minister Jonan agrees to build ports in Eastern Indonesia," Jokowi said.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister of Maritime Indroyono Soesilo said government would upgrade five ports to support Jokowi's sea toll. The five ports are Belawan in Medan, Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, Soekarno-Hatta in Makassar, dan Sorong. Belawan and Tanjung Priok are under construction, while Soekarno-Hatta will start soon.

Government need 7 billion USD to fund the construction of five ports. Soesilo said government open the opportunity for foreign investment to invest. "Our state budget cannot fully cover all infrastructure projects in Indonesia which cost 8 trillion USD. We need foreign investment," he said. Government is ready to give incentive, such as ease on investment license.

Ministry of Transportation recently cut 200 licenses to ease investment in Indonesia. Indroyono said that it was a real measure to speed up infrastructure development in Indonesia.

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