TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto mentioned the polemic regarding the debt of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, or Whoosh, during the inauguration of the new Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
The inauguration was attended by several ministers, including the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi; State Secretary Pratikno; and the Director of PT Indonesia Railways (KAI) Didiek Hartantyo.
Prabowo stated that PT KAI and the public need not worry about the debt burden of Whoosh, which has sparked public debate. He also promised to allocate the budget requested by KAI to add train carriages.
Here are the key points of Prabowo's speech at the new Tanah Abang Station:
1. Promise to Take Responsibility for Whoosh Debt
President Prabowo stated that the government will pay the debt burden of the Whoosh project, which is borne by the consortium of PT Indonesia China High-Speed Train (KCIC).
Prabowo urged PT Indonesia Railways (KAI) not to worry about the payment of Whoosh's debt. He mentioned that he has studied the Whoosh issue and assessed that there is no problem with the debt.
"I will take responsibility for all of Whoosh later on. Indonesia is not a random country, I reckon there is no problem," said Prabowo.
According to Prabowo, Whoosh should not be judged based on profit or loss. Because all public transportation systems around the world do not emphasize profit, but rather focus on whether they are beneficial to the people or not.
"This is the case everywhere in the world. This is called public service obligation. Earlier, the Minister of Transportation mentioned that for all our trains, the government subsidizes by 60 percent, while the people pay 20 percent. This is the presence of the state," he said.
2. Rp1.2 Trillion Annually for Whoosh Debt
President Prabowo promised that the government will pay the debt of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, or Whoosh, amounting to Rp1.2 trillion per year. "There is absolutely no problem because we will pay Rp1.2 trillion per year," said Prabowo to the media after the inauguration.
Prabowo stated that there is no issue with the Whoosh debt because public transportation can reduce traffic jams, pollution, and accelerate travel. "We are at an edge of best practice. Symbol of Indonesia-China. Enough, the President of the Republic of Indonesia will take over the responsibility. We are strong, we have money, the money that has been corrupted will be saved," he said.
The Whoosh debt has come under scrutiny due to its enormous value. The initial Whoosh project was estimated to cost US$6.02 billion. However, it experienced cost overrun and expanded to US$7.22 billion along the way.
Of the total cost, around 75 percent was funded through loans from the China Development Bank, amounting to US$5.415 billion. With an annual interest rate of 2 percent on the principal debt and 3.4 percent interest for the cost overrun, KCIC must pay US$120.9 million annually for the interest.
3. Prabowo Wants to Extend Whoosh to Banyuwangi
In addition to bearing the Whoosh debt, Prabowo also wants the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, or Whoosh, to be extended not only to Surabaya, but also to Banyuwangi in East Java.
"God willing. I asked not just to Surabaya. Banyuwangi, Banyuwangi, yes Banyuwangi. Surabaya is the past. Now it's Banyuwangi," said Prabowo after inaugurating the new Tanah Abang Station.
Prabowo mentioned that he exchanged views on railroad transportation in a meeting with former Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan, including discussing Whoosh.
4. Asks Not to Politicize Whoosh
President Prabowo also requested that the polemic regarding the debt burden of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, or Whoosh, not be politicized. Prabowo asked PT Indonesia Railways (Persero) not to worry because the government will take responsibility for paying the Whoosh debt.
Prabowo stated that he has already studied the Whoosh debt and mentioned that Indonesia is capable of paying it.
"Do not politicize it. Let's not dance to someone else's tune. There may be, from somewhere, parties who always want to cause public anxiety. No, be calm. Our nation is strong, our nation is rich," said Prabowo.
He also reminded the government not to be complacent and allow people to steal the country's wealth. He mentioned that the government will be thrifty and search for sources of wealth in order to return it for the welfare of the people.
5. Enjoys Riding Trains Since Youth
In his speech, Prabowo was impressed by the development of Indonesia's railway system, which has become more modern, after directly riding the KRL from Manggarai Station to Tanah Abang Station.
"I am very impressed because when I was young, I frequently rode the train. I am someone who really enjoys trains," said Prabowo.
According to Prabowo, trains and public transportation are a vital and strategic part of modern society. He was also impressed when he was informed that the Indonesian trains carry 468 million passengers in a year.
"And indeed, our train system will be a focus in the government program that I lead," he said.
Prabowo mentioned that he often used trains while traveling in Europe. At that time, he expressed his desire to make Indonesia's trains similar to those in Europe.
Prabowo also admired Indonesia's modern railway system. He was even surprised to see many foreigners who were impressed by Indonesia's train system.
"So we feel that there are still many shortcomings. But if we achieve, we should be proud of our achievements. I am proud as an Indonesian. Proud to have trains like this. These are clean trains. These are comfortable trains. They are no less than those in Europe," he said.
6. Rp5 Trillion for KAI to Buy Trains
In addition to bearing the Whoosh debt, Prabowo will also allocate Rp5 trillion to PT Indonesia Railways (KAI) to add 30 carriages and new train sets in the Greater Jakarta area.
This promise was conveyed by Prabowo directly to the Director of PT KAI (Persero) Bobby Rasyidin during the inauguration of the new Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Prabowo shared that the KAI Director had mentioned that PT KAI needed US$9 million to buy one new train set. Therefore, PT KAI proposed a budget of Rp4.8 trillion.
"I approve it. Even I will allocate [funds]. Even though he asked for Rp4.8 trillion, I approve not Rp4.8 trillion, but Rp5 trillion. I approve it," said Prabowo.
Prabowo asked Bobby Rasyidin how long PT KAI could fulfill the addition of trains. Initially, Bobby agreed to six months. However, Prabowo gave a one-year deadline.
"6 months? Enough, I give 1 year. Otherwise, he will be stressed and unable to sleep, right? If you can do it in 6 months, okay. But it must be 1 year. The people are the witnesses, right? Hence, there will be the addition of 30 new train sets," he said.
Prabowo mentioned that he will not hesitate to allocate funds for the benefit of many people. According to Prabowo, trains are one of the transportation modes that help the middle and lower class people.
"The rich can ride airplanes, they can ride cars. The majority of the people will benefit more from trains," he said. "Therefore, I instruct that our trains need to be expanded and enlarged.
Ferry Firmansyah contributed to the writing of this article.
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