President Prabowo inaugurates 3,395 bridges and 3,000 water facilities in rural infrastructure push

President Prabowo inaugurates 3,395 bridges and 3,000 water facilities in rural infrastructure push

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the state's obligation to ensure citizens in Indonesia's most isolated regions enjoy improved living standards, as he virtually inaugurated 3,395 bridges and 3,000 clean water facilities on Thursday.

Speaking from Jakarta, the president underscored that government support must reach even the furthest corners of the archipelago.

"The state must be present for citizens in the most remote areas. Those living furthest from major hubs must enjoy a good quality of life,"

he said during the virtual ceremony focused on Lebak Regency in Banten Province.

The infrastructure projects represent a major collaboration between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police, with Polri constructing 895 bridges spanning 19.2 kilometers that connect 1,314 villages and benefit approximately 2 million people. These bridges, built by 30 regional police forces, are designed to enhance access to schools, health facilities, houses of worship, and economic centers.

Lebak Regency, home to approximately 1.48 million people across 3,481.35 square kilometers of mountainous terrain rising to 2,000 meters, faces ongoing challenges with drought and food insecurity that have hindered agricultural production. The clean water facilities address a critical gap, as rural areas in Indonesia have historically experienced lower access rates to improved drinking water compared to urban centers. As of 2024, approximately 92.64 percent of Indonesian households nationwide had access to improved drinking water.

President Prabowo commended Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo for their leadership in the construction efforts. Under General Simanjuntak, who has served as Army Chief since November 2023, the Indonesian Army has established clean water access points at more than 7,000 locations across Indonesia since 2020.

Broader infrastructure agenda

The inauguration represents one milestone in a larger government program announced at the 2026 Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly on August 14, where President Prabowo pledged to complete more than 5,000 village bridges by the end of the year.

The president drew historical parallels to justify the rural infrastructure focus, referencing the 1998 Asian financial crisis when Indonesia's village economy and micro, small, and medium enterprises proved resilient as major financial institutions collapsed.

"You are the people's military, the people's police, born from the people, fighting alongside the people, giving your best for the people, and ultimately returning to the people,"

Prabowo told TNI and Polri personnel.

This infrastructure push aligns with President Prabowo's broader commitment to underserved regions demonstrated earlier this year. In May 2026, after visiting Miangas Island and discovering healthcare facilities in remote areas had not been renovated for decades, he pledged a nationwide overhaul of public health centers.

The president characterized the bridge and water facility construction as embodying Indonesia's spirit of gotong royong, with military and police personnel working collaboratively to build essential infrastructure in hard-to-reach areas. He described their efforts as a noble mission and devotion to the Indonesian people, providing tangible proof that both institutions serve the public interest.