Sea Toll Program
[2][3][4] Due to Indonesia's geography, smaller isolated islands have long lacked the infrastructure necessary for the distribution of resources.
[5] A specialized logistical system for Indonesia was first proposed during the Yudhoyono presidency, but was never fully carried out.
During the 2014 presidential debate, he proposed his vision called "Nawacita", a 9-point strategy which included a plan to even out development between periphery, border, and isolated areas, and the big cities of Indonesia.
This included reduction of price disparities, inclusive economic development, and greater availability of goods and transportation for those that live in Indonesia's periphery regions.
[9] In 2015, Widodo made a speech proposing the Sea Toll Program to reduce the price disparity of goods, especially within small islands and border regions.
Generally similar in size than pioneer ships, they also transport people and goods at the same time.
[30] In East Nusa Tenggara, cement price decreased more than 50% per sack in the same year.
[31] In Rote Ndao Regency, an average decrease of 11-20% of grocery prices such as chicken meat, cooking oil, egg, and rice.
[32] In Tidore and Fakfak Regency, the price of basic goods decreased by 14% and 10% respectively.
[6] In 2018, it was noted that the program decreases reliance of border regions in Kalimantan on Malaysian products as much as 20%.
It is noted that majority of requested to isolated regions and smaller ports are basic goods such as cooking oil, rice, or sugar, in addition to steel for construction.
[35] Nationally, it is estimated on average the program decreased basic goods and grocery prices as much as 30%.
Local entrepreneurs and businesses from destination ports are not using the program to tap into the city market.
[42] In response, the Ministry of Transportation formed a special team to address the issue and increase return freight.
[43] Indonesian economist Faisal Basri criticized the program for only benefiting traders and businesses that have control over ports.
