Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto announced the formation of a Bridge Emergency Task Force as an expedited measure to ensure students' safe access to schools.
During his speech at the commemoration of the 2025 National Teachers Day on Friday (November 28), Prabowo expressed his concern that many students still risk their lives crossing rivers to reach school.
"There are small bridges, some are crossing bridges. We are currently designing these, my children. Please be patient, I am working on it. Hopefully, all the bridges will be built next year," he promised.
This measure follows reports and findings from the public regarding the limited road infrastructure in remote areas of Indonesia.
The head of state emphasized that bridge construction is a government priority to support educational progress.
He noted that the national demand for bridge construction stands at 300,000 units.
To achieve this target, the president assigned the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, to mobilize civil engineering personnel to help build the hundreds of thousands of bridges needed.
Furthermore, Prabowo also emphasized the important role of the Indonesian military and the National Police in bridge construction, including the deployment of Engineering and Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) troops to assist village communities.
"Deploy Engineering battalions to assist. I also ask the police to get their hands on, including Brimob to assist the people. Addressing this bridge problem is a priority, because I do not want children risking their lives every day to go to school," the president stated.
He affirmed that bureaucratic approaches such as feasibility studies or seminars would be eliminated during this mission.
"We are not talking about feasibility studies or seminars; it takes too long. Our children really need it, and we have to respond," he pointed out.
