THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF RAILWAYS CONDUCT A PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE REGULATION OF THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH WAS AFFECTED BY OMNIBUS LAW TO FACILITATE INVESTMENT

Jakarta (05/05) -In order to facilitate investment in the railway sector, the Directorate General of Railways conducted a public review of the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation (Permenhub) which was affected by the Omnibus Law on Wednesday (05/05). This virtual public test aims to ensure that the applicable Ministerial regulations can support the spirit of ease of investment and business opportunities. Moreover, the railway sector is considered one of the high-risk investment sectors. In his remarks, Director General of Railways Zulfikri said that this regulatory adjustment was carried out in order to reduce obstacles that might arise in efforts to involve the larger community in this sector. Director General Zulfikri also emphasized that the spirit of opening up investment opportunities in the railway sector can be supported through the existing regulatory framework. "Hopefully, through this activity, we can together see in detail whether the draft of Ministerial Regulation that has been prepared is in accordance with the spirit of providing convenience and simplification for investment in the railway sector," said Zulfikri.

Furthermore, Zulfikri said that this spirit was also supported by the Minister of Transportation, "(This morning's activity) is in accordance with the direction of the Minister to conduct a public test of the Ministerial Regulation as a derivative of the Omnibus Law," he added. On this occasion, it was also conveyed that there were four things in the regulations regarding the operation of the railway which underwent adjustments after the existence of the Omnibus Law. "Four things that have undergone adjustments are related to concessions and cooperation, licensing for infrastructure operations, licensing for facilities management, and licensing for special railway operations," said Zulfikri.

In line with this, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Railways Zulmafendi said that there were at least four Ministerial Regulations that needed to be adjusted. "Three of them (Ministerial Regulations) have been harmonized and has been waiting for permission from the President to be signed, while the remaining one is in the process of harmonization at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights," added Zulmafendi.

Furthermore, Zulmafendi said that the adjustments made opened opportunities for community involvement in terms of business potential, collaboration, and cooperation, to participation in business entity procurement auctions. "The spirit (of this Ministerial Regulation) is to provide opportunities for investment in the railway sector, as well as to review regulations that have been complicated and difficult so that they can be more open and provide opportunities for the public to participate," he added.

In this activity which involving various stakeholders and community representatives, it was also emphasized that the convenience of investment and business opportunities will certainly demand higher quality human resources. Therefore, the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Transportation has also conducted important studies related to HR competencies. Later, regarding the competence of human resources, it will also be a concern in the implementation of harmonization of railway regulations with the Omnibus Law.

This public test activity was led by representatives of the Indonesian Railways Society (MASKA) as a moderator and carried out by competent resource persons in their fields, including Prof. Dr. Ir. Agus Taufik Mulyono, MT., IPU., ASEAN-ENG., Head of Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Transportation and General Chairperson of the Indonesian Railways Society Hermanto. The subject of the public test was Ministerial Regulations. Participants who were present during the activity could also give their advice regarding the regulations. (SPN/RVP/HJA)