Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Indonesia is preparing a fast train project called Merah Putih. According to the plan, the Red and White Fast Train will connect Jakarta-Surabaya via the northern route across Cirebon and Semarang. This project is planned to be completed in 2025 and can be tested in 2026.

In fact, the construction of the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train proves that the predictions of Ancient Java are truly true today. Long before the fast train was discussed and the first train in Indonesia arrived, the rulers of Kediri had predicted the truth.

In the 12th century, in Java there were popular rulers from the Kingdom of Kediri. His name was Jayabaya, who was famous not only for his hegemony, but also for his predictions. One of the predictions is about “Land of Java necklaced with wesi” which means “Java Island with an iron necklace”.

At that time, people did not understand the meaning of his words. However, this prophecy remains alive in Javanese society. Until finally, the prediction came true. Exactly on June 17 1864, long iron rods began to be embedded in Java for tens of kilometers.

These iron rails were then called railroad tracks. Yes, on that date, the first train in Indonesia arrived. The train connects Semarang-Solo-Jogja.

According to the presentation History of Indonesian Railways (1997), the purpose of the presence of the “iron necklace” is to facilitate the logistical mobility of agricultural products. Previously, agricultural products in Java were transported relying on human or animal power.

This method is very inefficient and effective considering the distance between plantations, cities and ports is too far. Every time there is transportation, the quality of plantation products will definitely decrease. Companies and governments also suffer losses. Moreover, agricultural exports in Java are at their highest point after implementation cultuur system since 1830.

On this basis, the construction of trains in Java cannot be denied. The Governor General immediately ordered the railway project in 1862 and it was realized two years later. Nederlansch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NISM) became a private company given the rights by the Dutch Company to manage trains.

At that time, this type of train still used steam produced from burning wood in the locomotive furnace. Even though it is simple, the existence of trains can change the history of the island of Java.

This change was not only a matter of accelerating the mobility of colonial parties to exploit Indonesia’s wealth, but also a matter of local regional growth.

“The area around the rail line is visited by many people. Practically they are able to spark the revival of local trade,” wrote Ambar Wulan in The Role and Development of Railways on the Semarang-Solo Route in 1864-1870 (1985).

From there, new cities began to grow with thousands of people. In fact, the existence of the first train line sparked the construction of a wider railway network project in Java. In the same year, the government intended to build the Batavia-Buitenzorg train network.

In the end, since the 20th century, almost every corner of the island of Java has been connected by railways. There are various types, not only steam trains but also electric trains. The first electric train line was the Batavia-Buitenzorg route in 1918.

Slowly, as technology develops, electric trains dominate and increasingly prove that this is the most efficient and cheapest transportation to date.

Now, the big cities in Java have an “iron collar”. With the arrival of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train which will continue to Surabaya, the ancient prophecy of Jayabaya from the 12th century is increasingly being proven: an “iron necklace” is wrapped around Java.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(mfa/wur)