Difficult to Reach South Malang Beach Road, Khofifah: In the Next Two Years, Road Access Will Be More Open and Convenient for Tourists

Kapanlagi.com - The series of beaches along the south coast of Java Island in Malang Regency has extraordinary beauty. However, some of the beaches are difficult to reach due to the difficult access roads to the location.

The Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, said that within the next two years, the road access through the South Cross Route (JLS) Lot 9 will be completed. This access will open up and make it easier for tourists to visit several beaches.

"Once this is completed, it will open up the beach for public access. It will open up new economic access. In the future, a public market will be built to display the creative industry products of the Malang community. I also request access to the entrance road. So that the road access provides many choices for the public to go to the beach," said Khofifah after Offroad Exploring the South Ring Road (JLS) Along the South Coast of Malang, Saturday (26/1).

1. Explore the South Ring Road

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

Governor Khofifah explored the South Ring Road (JLS) along the South Coast of Malang offroad. She checked the construction of JLS Lot 9, which has been underway since July 2019 and is planned to be completed in 2022.

The offroad journey also provided a glimpse of the access that will be available once JLS lot 9 is completed for several southern beaches in Malang Regency. Some of the beaches visited by Khofifah include Kondang Iwak Beach, Kondang Merak Beach, and Bajul Mati Bridge.

"The beauty of these beaches is extraordinary. For example, Kondang Iwak Beach has very unique iron sand. For beach enthusiasts, this is a destination that must be visited. While waiting for the completion of JLS, various beach infrastructures also need to be improved," said Khofifah.

2. Using a Jeep

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

During the journey, Governor Khofifah used a jeep considering that lot 9 is being built with land clearing and several hills that are still in the compaction process. She also seemed to enjoy the journey despite the challenging terrain.

JLS Lot 8 and Lot 9 are being built with funding from ADB through the Ministry of Public Works and Housing's state budget. These routes connect the southern region of Malang Regency to the border of Blitar Regency.

The total length of JLS itself is 684 km, with 382 km already completed and 72 km in progress. There are still 215 km of construction remaining, with only 30 km of land clearance process completed.

"I ask all regencies in the JLS area to prepare the land. With that, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing will have an idea of when the land clearance process will be carried out and so on. However, the land preparation process has been assisted by the regents, especially for the remaining 215 km," she said.

3. Many Beaches to Enjoy

© KapanLagi.com/Darmadi Sasongko

Emphasized by Khofifah, if access is open, there will be many beaches that can be enjoyed by the wider community. This will encourage new economic growth. Through the new economic growth center, poverty reduction in South Malang can be significantly reduced.

The first female governor in East Java advised tourists to always maintain the cleanliness of the beach by not littering. She also hopes that more trash cans will be added around the beach.

"Let's always maintain the cleanliness of the beach by not littering. Let's always show love for the beach," Khofifah concluded.

4. See Bajul Mati Bridge

At the end of her visit, Governor Khofifah and the entire entourage visited the Bajul Mati bridge built in lot 8 of JLS.

The governor hopes that the construction of the bridge over the Mayit ravine will be completed this year. This will allow tourists to travel faster and safer from and to Sendang Biru to other beach destinations.

"I suggest that once the construction is completed, this bridge should not be named Jembatan Mayit (Dead Bridge) but Jembatan Sumber Bahagia (Source of Happiness)," she said.

During the visit, Khofifah was accompanied by the Regent of Malang, Sanusi, the Secretary of the East Java Provincial Government, Forkopimda Malang Regency, officials from various departments in Malang Regency, and several department heads from the East Java Provincial Government.

(kpl/dar/CDP)