Indonesia Eyes Russia and China as Potential Investors for Trans-Kalimantan Railway Project

Jakarta: The Indonesian government is eyeing Russia and China as potential investors for the development of the Trans-Kalimantan railway network.
 
“We have explored opportunities both domestically and internationally, including with Russia and China,” Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said, as reported by Antara on Friday, August 7, 2026.
 
The move follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to accelerate the development of railway networks in Sumatra (Trans-Sumatra) and Kalimantan (Trans-Kalimantan).
 
Dudy noted that the Trans-Sumatra railway network was already in place and only needed to be connected, while the Trans-Kalimantan network had yet to be built.
 
“We have coordinated with the Indonesian Railway Company (PT KAI) on the roadmap. We are now hoping to secure investment to carry out the projects,” he said.
 
Dudy added that investors were currently assessing the projects and “crunching the numbers.”
 
“The investors are assessing the viability and feasibility of the projects. From our discussions, it appears as though PT KAI is more interested in taking on the Sumatra project, whereas China and Russia are keen on the Kalimantan project,” he said.
 
The Trans-Sumatra railway network will connect Sumatra’s southernmost point – Bakauheni in Lampung – with the island’s northernmost region.
 
The Trans-Kalimantan railway network, meanwhile, is expected to connect major provinces and urban centers across the region.
 
(Jonathan Sianto)