SURABAYA- Suramadu National Bridge, or Jembatan Suramadu (Suramadu is an acronym of Surabaya Madura), is a bridge that crosses the Madura Strait, connecting the island of Java (in Surabaya) and the island of Madura (in Bangkalan, precisely east of Kamal), Indonesia.
Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) waived Suramadu Bridge toll rates starting Saturday (27/10/2018). The move to free the Suramadu Bridge toll tariff is to encourage economic growth in East Java, especially Madura and its surroundings.
Responding to the proposal of East Java DPRD members, Moh Hosen, Chairman of KAKI (Indonesian Anti-Corruption Committee)of East Java, refused to pay Suramadu Bridge again because this National Bridge is a link between friendship and not a place to pay government tribute.
Because of the positive impact of the Free bridge, there is an increase in infrastructure development to Madurese community human resources and so on,” said Hosen KAKI, Saturday (15/02/2025).
Suramadu Bridge is the only land link between Surabaya and Madura which was previously only available on the sea route. The bridge with a length of 5,438 meters is the longest bridge in Indonesia.
It was built in 2003 under the leadership of President Megawati Sukarnoputri and inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) in 2009. The funds disbursed to build the Suramadu Bridge reached Rp4.5 trillion, Hosen KAKI said.
We connect the aspirations of the Indonesian people to support the central and regional governments of East Java that entering Suramadu Bridge remains free, because it has an impact on the distribution of goods and services that are cheaper, both when goods enter Madura or vice versa,” he said.
Hosen KAKI Jatim explained that the productivity of Madura Island also increased when the Suramadu Bridge was free. This makes the welfare of the Madurese community better. And this central government policy can encourage productivity in Madura and have an impact on improving the economy of the community itself.
KAKI assessed that the proposal of the member of the East Java Regional House of Representatives Nurul Huda or Ra Huda of the PPP faction was lacking in work so that the Suramadu Bridge Road Initiative had to be paid back under the pretext that the budget could be made for repairs or maintenance.
East Java legislators should think about the fate of two-wheeled riders when passing in the Suramadu area who often eat victims of the impact of perforated highways, ” said Hosen KAKI.
When it comes to maintenance and supervision of the Suramadu National Bridge area, there is already a budget and it is known that in 2024 around Rp 40 billion.
With the details of the budget is divided into Rp 15 billion for bridge maintenance, Rp15 billion for road maintenance, and Rp10 billion for surveillance / sensors and maintenance of rest areas.
“From this it is known that the function of the active role of East Java DPRD members as budget supervisors and the performance of executive government officials is not effective.
With the intention of not understanding that in Suramadu National Bridge there is a budget worth billions of rupiah, for routine maintenance every year, ” said Hosen KAKI.
It was reported earlier that East Java DPRD member Nurul Huda alias Ra Huda proposed that the Suramadu Bridge be paid again. This proposal responds to public unrest due to increased criminal acts that unsettle citizens.
Cases of theft of motor vehicles (curanmor) to suspected smuggling with fishing line mode make people more vigilant when crossing the bridge that connects Surabaya and Madura.
According to Ra Huda, the paid Suramadu Bridge policy can not only help reduce crime rates, but can also be used to repair damaged infrastructure.
“Later many residents came to me asking that the Suramadu Bridge be paid again, because many roads were damaged. If there is an entry fee, the funds can be used for repairs,” said Ra Huda, Thursday (13/2/2025).
The PPP politician, who also sits on commission D of the East Java DPRD, considered that the paid scheme would reduce the government’s burden in bridge maintenance.
“If paid, the cost of repairs can be taken from the sale of tickets or tickets, so the government does not need to spend the state budget. Ra Huda proposed tariffs that remain affordable, such as Rp10, 000 for cars, Rp15, 000 for tronton trucks, and Rp3, 000 for motorcycles.
He plans to coordinate with the East Java provincial government to discuss the mechanism for re-applying the entry tariff on the Suramadu Bridge. This discourse provoked a mixed response from the public. Some support the move if it can indeed improve bridge safety and maintenance. (Arief)
