President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the new Tanah Abang Station in Jakarta on Tuesday (November 4), after riding the KRL from Manggarai Station. He praised Indonesia's train services as comparable to Europe's and issued instructions to PT KAI to enhance security and expand rail networks. The event included an inspection of special cars for farmers and traders.
President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Manggarai Station around 10:50 WIB, wearing a cream safari suit, accompanied by PT KAI CEO Bobby Rasyidin, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, and other officials. He inspected special green cars for farmers and traders, designed with more space for goods and facing seats without a central handrail. Bobby Rasyidin explained, "Kemudian nanti kita hanya charge hanya penumpang Pak, jadi barangnya tidak kita charge." PT KAI plans to launch this service on the Rangkasbitung-Merak route this month, with eight train units, operating mornings and evenings, and subsidized fares to support food distribution.
Prabowo then rode the KRL to Tanah Abang Station, arriving at 11:18 WIB after passing five stations. Welcomed by Coordinating Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, and others, he inaugurated the station renovated since the groundbreaking on April 30, 2023, and operational since February 2025. New features include a modern facade, oval ornaments on the second floor, and pedestrian lanes free from street vendor disruptions.
In his speech, Prabowo appreciated KAI for serving 486 million passengers annually. "Hari ini kita berkumpul di salah satu stasiun bersejarah di Indonesia untuk meresmikan Stasiun Tanah Abang Baru," he said. He praised KRL services as comfortable and on par with Europe, based on chats with passengers: "Sering nggak naik kereta? Sering. Bagus nggak? Bagus, Pak. Dulu padat sekali, sekarang agak lumayan, nyaman." Prabowo added, "Saya langlang buana di Eropa waktu muda. Kereta api, kereta api, kereta api. Ini tidak kalah."
He instructed KAI to maintain rail security, build crossing gates to prevent accidents, and keep stations clean. "Jaga kebersihan ya, rel-rel kereta api dijaga. Keamanan, keselamatan, pintu-pintu lintasan harus segera dibangun. Tidak boleh ada kecelakaan lagi," he urged. Additionally, add 30 KRL sets for Jabodetabek within a year, and plan new rail networks in Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Java for passengers and goods, reducing truck reliance to save fuel and improve roads.
