November 5, 2025 | 09:56 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's former Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan revealed the details of his two-hour meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday, November 3, 2025.
He stated that the meeting with the Head of State was purely a discussion and an exchange of views regarding government programs. "There were no offers. It was just a discussion," Jonan said, as quoted from Antara.
Nevertheless, Jonan admitted his readiness to serve again or undertake specific tasks if asked. "As a citizen, if asked to work for the country, I should be ready, if capable. If I am capable, then yes. That's it. It depends on the one assigning the task," he responded when asked by the media about the possibility of returning to serve the country.
Jonan emphasized that his willingness was a form of moral responsibility as a citizen, not due to any specific discussions about positions or assignments.
The meeting between Jonan and President Prabowo was facilitated by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. The meeting covered various national development issues and people-oriented programs.
Furthermore, Jonan stated that during the meeting, the President did not inquire about the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train (Whoosh) project. "I don't know about it. Regarding the high-speed train Whoosh, he didn't ask me for my opinion on it," Jonan said when questioned by reporters about the discussion of the high-speed train.
Jonan also revealed that he was not asked to provide any input regarding the proposed extension of the high-speed train line to Surabaya. "No, I am retired, I won't express any opinions," he said.
Jonan gained prominence during his tenure as President Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or PT KAI from 2009 to 2014. Under Jonan's leadership, PT KAI underwent a transformation that improved public services and operational management, ultimately enhancing the face of Indonesia's railway transportation.
Subsequently, Jonan was appointed as Minister of Transportation (2014-2016), and later as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) from 2016 to 2019, before returning to active roles as a commissioner in various leading private companies.
According to Jonan, the Head of State certainly has his own policy regarding Whoosh. "He must have his own policy on this. Operationally, Whoosh is good. Regarding its management and debt, you can ask the President directly because it wasn't discussed earlier," he said.
On that Monday, prior to this meeting, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) met with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to report on the progress of the infrastructure sector and to seek direct guidance on solutions to the debt issues of the project.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi previously stated that President Prabowo had discussed the high-speed train debt issue in a limited meeting with the economic team, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, and Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani.
During the meeting, the President asked his economic team to prepare various debt settlement options, such as extending the loan period or alternative payment schemes, to prevent economic turmoil at the national level.
Editor’s Choice: Former Minister Ignasius Jonan Visits Presidential Palace Amid Whoosh Debt Talks
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