October 28, 2025 | 10:22 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Here are the highlights: Besides Indonesia's Whoosh, Which Countries Owe China for Infrastructure Development?; BGN to Reward Creators Rp5 Million for Positive Coverage of Free Nutritious Meal Program; and KPK Reveals Alleged Corruption in Indonesia's Whoosh High-Speed Train Project.
The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today:
1. Besides Indonesia's Whoosh, Which Countries Owe China for Infrastructure Development?
The controversy surrounding the debt of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Train (Whoosh) has resurfaced. The project, which officially began operations in October 2023, is owned by a consortium with 60 percent Indonesian and 40 percent Chinese ownership.
Its initial budget of US$5.5 billion (Rp89.6 trillion) ballooned to US$7.27 billion (Rp118.4 trillion) due to cost overruns.
Seventy-five percent of the overrun was covered by new loans from the China Development Bank, with the remainder funded by additional equity from the project company, KCIC. Danantara's Chief Operating Officer, Dony Oskaria, stated the company is currently assessing two options to resolve the debt.
"Whether we add equity or hand over the infrastructure, as is common in other railway industries, where the infrastructure belongs to the government. These are the two options we are currently assessing," he said.
Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa noted that Danantara possesses funds from state-owned enterprise dividends, estimated at around Rp90 trillion.
2. BGN to Reward Creators Rp5 Million for Positive Coverage of Free Nutritious Meal Program
Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) prepares incentives of Rp5 million for regional implementers who successfully create positive and viral content about the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG)/
BGN states that this step is part of the public communication strategy to counter hoaxes and strengthen public trust in the government's flagship program.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of BGN, stated that fast and accurate public communication is key to maintaining the credibility of the institution amid the deluge of misinformation on social media.
"We must not be slower than hoaxes. Regional coordinators and area coordinators must be official sources of information and quickly clarify issues in the field," Nanik said when opening the Coordination and Socialization Meeting for the Implementation of the MBG Program in Jakarta, Monday, October 27, 2025.
Nanik believes that the abundance of negative news about MBG arises due to the slow response from regional implementers.
3. KPK Reveals Alleged Corruption in Indonesia's Whoosh High-Speed Train Project
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the alleged bribery in Indonesia's high-speed train project or Whoosh after receiving several pieces of information.
"So, every case handling at the KPK can stem from public complaints or from a case building carried out by the KPK," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the Red and White Building of the KPK in South Jakarta on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Budi explained that the case building is based on various data obtained by the KPK from various institutions in Indonesia.
"It could be from Law Enforcement Agencies (APH), or even from financial institutions such as the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and so on," said Budi.
The investigation into the alleged corruption in the high-speed train project has already begun by the KPK since early 2025.
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Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating alleged corruption in the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project, Whoosh.
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BGN Says Remark on Incentive for Free Meals Positive Coverage Was "Just a Joke"
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BGN clarifies the statement regarding the Rp5 million incentive for SPPG who can create positive and viral MBG content.
BGN to Reward Creators Rp5 Million for Positive Coverage of Free Nutritious Meal Program
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Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) prepares incentives of Rp5 million for whoever make viral content about Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG)
KPK Reveals Alleged Corruption in Indonesia's Whoosh High-Speed Train Project
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The investigation on the alleged corruption in the Whoosh high-speed train project has commenced by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) since early 2025.
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Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
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