Kapuas Government Targets Lawang Kamah Bridge Completion Within Two Months

Saputra Berry    Monday, April 06, 2026    Comment   

Kapuas Government Targets Lawang Kamah Bridge Completion Within Two Months

Kapuas Regency targets completion of the Lawang Kamah bridge within two months after April 20, 2026, restoring land access for residents who currently rely on river transport.

KUALA KAPUAS — The Kapuas Regency Government in Central Kalimantan has set a target to complete the construction of a bridge connecting Lawang Kamah Village in Timpah District within a maximum period of two months.

The move aims to restore land access for residents who currently depend on river transportation following the collapse of the previous bridge.

Kapuas Regional Secretary Usis I Sangkai stated that Kapuas Regent Muhammad Wiyatno had instructed officials to ensure the bridge becomes operational shortly after April 20, 2026.

“Earlier, the Regent requested that the bridge be completed within a maximum of two months after April 20, 2026, so it can be used by the community,” Usis said in Kuala Kapuas on Monday.

Coordination Meeting Involved Government Agencies and Private Firms

The statement was delivered after a coordination meeting led directly by Regent Muhammad Wiyatno. The meeting was attended by representatives from several regional government agencies, the Head of Timpah District, the Head of Lawang Kamah Village, and representatives from several large private plantation companies operating in the area.

According to Usis, the meeting followed a field inspection conducted earlier when officials visited the village to deliver aid to residents affected by a fire.

During the visit, authorities identified that the village relied solely on river routes after the previous bridge became unusable.

Old Wooden Bridge Collapsed Due to Age

The former bridge connecting Lawang Kamah Village was constructed using wooden materials. Over time, its structure deteriorated significantly and eventually collapsed due to aging.

As a result, residents have been forced to rely on motorized boats, locally known as kelotok, as their primary transportation method.

“The previous wooden bridge collapsed due to aging, making it impossible to use, and residents were forced to rely on motorized boats,” Usis explained.

This situation has affected daily activities, including economic transactions, education access, and delivery of essential goods.

New 65-Meter Bridge to Be Constructed

During the coordination meeting, it was agreed that a new bridge with a span of 65 meters would be constructed using wooden materials.

The project will be carried out by several large private plantation companies (PBS) operating near Lawang Kamah Village.

Usis expressed optimism that the bridge could be completed on schedule if all parties work efficiently.

“Hopefully, with a span of this length, construction can proceed quickly, and I believe that if carried out seriously, it will not take too long,” he said.

Field Survey to Be Conducted Before Construction

Before construction begins, private companies involved in the project will conduct field surveys to assess site conditions.

This survey is necessary to determine the most suitable construction design and estimate the required timeline.

Usis emphasized that the bridge construction will be fully funded and implemented by private companies without using the regional government budget.

“This bridge will be fully constructed by the private plantation companies. We express our appreciation and gratitude for their support,” Usis added.

Expected Positive Impact for Residents

The construction of the new bridge is expected to significantly improve daily life for residents of Lawang Kamah Village.

Once completed, the bridge will provide reliable land access, making travel faster and safer for residents.

Additionally, improved connectivity is expected to support economic activities, facilitate transportation of agricultural products, and enhance distribution of essential supplies.

This infrastructure initiative reflects the Kapuas Regency Government’s commitment to strengthening rural connectivity and accelerating village development.

FAQ

1. When will the Lawang Kamah bridge construction begin?
Construction is planned to begin after April 20, 2026, following field surveys conducted by private companies.

2. How long is the targeted completion time?
The bridge is expected to be completed within a maximum of two months.

3. How long will the bridge be?
The new bridge will have a total span of approximately 65 meters.

4. Who is responsible for building the bridge?
The bridge will be constructed entirely by private plantation companies operating in the area.

5. Why is the old bridge no longer usable?
The previous wooden bridge collapsed due to aging and structural deterioration.

East Kalimantan Gov’t Completes Rp8.5 Billion Official Car Return

Saputra Berry    Saturday, March 21, 2026    Comment   

East Kalimantan Gov’t Completes Rp8.5 Billion Official Car Return

East Kalimantan completes administrative return of Rp8.5 billion official car, ensuring transparency and responding to President Prabowo Subianto’s budget efficiency concerns.

Samarinda – The Government of East Kalimantan has confirmed that the administrative process for returning the governor’s official car valued at Rp8.5 billion has been fully completed. This move comes amid renewed scrutiny of regional budget efficiency by President Prabowo Subianto.

“From both calculation and administrative perspectives, the procurement process is considered complete since the car was never used in the field,” said Muhammad Faisal, Head of East Kalimantan’s Communication and Information Office (Diskominfo), in Samarinda on Friday.

Faisal explained that from the total purchase price of Rp8.5 billion, the fleet provider actually received a net payment of only Rp7.5 billion. The nearly Rp1 billion difference was purely due to state tax deductions, including Value Added Tax (VAT) and Income Tax (PPh), which East Kalimantan Province directly transferred to the central government.

Since the official purchase was canceled, East Kalimantan is now coordinating with the Directorate General of Taxes to process the tax refund, which typically takes two to three months according to procedures.

“The Rp8.5 billion price tag was fully calculated, including taxes, vehicle registration fees, inter-island shipping costs, insurance, and the supplier’s profit margin,” Faisal added.

The official vehicle procurement was originally conducted through direct appointment, as there was only one distributor in the Jakarta area.

Faisal emphasized, “Through completing the administrative process and transparently retrieving the tax funds, East Kalimantan demonstrates its commitment to supporting budget efficiency in line with the central government’s directives.”

This explanation responds to renewed attention on the luxury car purchase after President Prabowo Subianto criticized the Rp8 billion allocation for official vehicles, arguing it overlooked village infrastructure priorities. The President even compared it to his locally-made armored Maung car, which costs less than Rp1 billion.

FAQ

Q: Has the Rp8.5 billion official car ever been used?
A: No, the car has never been used in the field.

Q: How much did the supplier actually receive?
A: The supplier received Rp7.5 billion after tax deductions.

Q: How long will the tax refund process take?
A: The tax refund process is estimated to take 2–3 months.

Q: How was the official car procurement conducted?
A: The car was procured through direct appointment, as there was only one distributor in Jakarta.