Infrastructure: The Connecting Link of West Sumatra
Written by : Fadhilla Gunawan (Staff of Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury of West Sumatra)
West Sumatra, a province located on the west coast of the island of Sumatra, is a province known for its natural beauty. West Sumatra has strong capital to grow rapidly: abundant natural resources, fertile land, strong culture, and resilient people. However, behind all this potential, West Sumatra is still lagging behind in many important economic indicators. One of the problems found is not due to a lack of resources - but a lack of access.
Padang – Sicincin Toll Road
Photo : Hutama Karya
Geography : A Connector and A Barrier
West Sumatra is blessed with beautiful areas, towering mountains, fertile valleys, and beaches that stretch along the Indian Ocean. But behind this beauty there are real challenges. Transporting agricultural products from the rural areas to the port, or taking tourists from the airport to remote areas, often costs a lot of money.
Some areas still have limited access, or if there is access, the road conditions are bad and unfit for travel. This certainly hinders the distribution of harvests from villages to the market. Intercity transportation routes are still inefficient, which impedesf trade flows and tourism. Trips that should be short can take longer due to inadequate road conditions. Additionally, the hilly and valley-lined road contours also pose challenges in developing transportation infrastructure. Many parts of West Sumatra have steep landscapes and are prone to landslides, especially during the rainy season. This not only slows down the construction of new roads, but also makes it difficult to maintain existing roads. As a result, regional connectivity becomes unstable — roads may be in good condition today, but badly damaged the next week due to heavy rainfall or ground movement.
Airports and Ports: Gateways or Obstacles?
Minangkabau International Airport is West Sumatra's gateway to the outside world, especially to Malaysia. This airport has opened up opportunities for tourism and trade, however, there are still limitations on international flight routes. This airport routinely serves flight routes to and from Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Padang - Singapore route will only open in early 2025 with a limited schedule. With the potential for an increase in the number of tourists via this new route, various efforts are needed to increase the capacity and quality of airport services, as well as strengthen land connectivity to and from the airport. This includes the provision of efficient public transportation, improving road access to the airport, and developing supporting facilities such as hotels, tourist information centers, and integrated travel services.
As for sea transport, there is Teluk Bayur Port which is the central hub for maritime trade in West Sumatra. It is currently one of Indonesia’s largest ports for handling crude palm oil (CPO), second only after Dumai. In addition to CPO, this port also serves the export of other important commodities such as rubber, coal, and fishery products. However, connectivity between the port and production centers in the inland of West Sumatra is still not fully efficient. Weak links in distribution chain persist, especially the road conditions leading to the port.
These two gateways could be the driving force of the economy — if improved and integrated holistically.
Mandeh Tourism Area, Sumatera Barat
Photo : Promedia Teknologi
Tourism: Access That Cannot Be Ignored
West Sumatra with its abundant natural assets should be one of Indonesia’s main tourist destinations. From the stunning Mandeh area and glorious Harau Valley to the peacuful Lake Maninjau and the unique Minangkabau culture. But, without adequate access, this potential is long to be realized. For tourists, good road access and proper supporting facilities will be the deciding factor in their desire to return to West Sumatra. It is also crucial to provide a good, functional transportation system, such as reliable intercity services. Major routes connecting popular tourist destinations with airports, terminals, and city centers must be kept in prime condition. The availability of transportation modes such as tour buses, shuttle services, and online transportation that are affordable and accessible will greatly support both domestic and international travelers.
Good News: Change is On The Way
There are positive signs for infrastructure development in West Sumatra. Several government priority projects in West Sumatra have been underway in recent years, including the construction of the Padang - Sicincin Toll Road which was functionally operated during the 2025 Eid holiday season. One of the next priority projects planned for 2025 is the construction of Sitinjau Lauik Flyover which is located in an extreme location with a fairly high accident rate. Once completed, this flyover is expected to highly increase economic growth and support tourism, given that this route is one of the busiest cross-Sumatra corridors.
In The End, Everything Must Be Connected
West Sumatra is indeed known for its natural and cultural richness. However, this immense potential will not produce results without adequate infrastructure. From roads and bridges, to ports and airports, and tourism sector – each part is interconnected and works in synergy.
Infrastructure is not just steel or concrete. Through infrastructure, ideas, people, goods -- and hope-- can move. When connectivity is built with a clear direction and is in favor of the community, economic growth is no longer a dream, but a tangible outcome.
It is time for all parties - the central government, local governments, private companies and the public - to work together in synergy. Because in the end, everything must be connected for West Sumatra to move forward -- together, not separately.
