Indonesian President Walks to Work

You gotta walk this way!

If you have ever visited Indonesia, then you would be all too familiar with the notorious traffic congestion, particularly in the nation’s capital of Jakarta. Routinely, the capital is gridlocked and even police escorts with their familiar wah wah sirens cannot get through the morass. Now, the country’s plight has made international news as none other than the President of the country, Joko Widodo, had to alight his vehicle and walk two kilometres in the hot sun to attend a military parade in the port city of Cilegon, which is described as a two and half hour drive from Jakarta, although it is not clear if that is with or without traffic.

Of course, Indonesia has the reputation of having a graft-ridden and inefficient bureaucracy, and it is this that is being blamed for the mess. It is also true that the once oil-rich nation has done little to modernise transportation system around the capital or the rest of the country. So, after sitting in his stationary car for about 30 minutes, the President got out and walked, along with a number of other senior figures, including the Chief of Police, Tito Karnavian. Perhaps now they will be regretting the cancellation of the high-speed rail plan.

Last year, during the festive period when traditionally Indonesians go back ‘home’ to visit with relatives, the jam between Jakarta and Bandung lasted for two DAYS, and there were reports of multiple deaths. We, too, have written in the past about the plight of Indonesia’s motorists; just recently, we reported on the bid to ban motorbikes from the nation's capital (Read also: Is this really the End of the Road for Jakarta’s Motorcyclists?). Perhaps this time now, the message may get through to those who can do something about it, and perhaps this time they may actually do something about it—just perhaps, that is.

Read also: 

The world’s WORST traffic title goes to... 

Armed and Resolute, Alfini Lestari 

Indonesia drops plans for high-speed rail

image: tribunnews.com