November 4, 2025 | 02:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he will take responsibility for the Whoosh high-speed train debt, during the inauguration of the new Tanah Abang Baru Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Prabowo mentioned that the state-owned railway company, KAI, needs not worry about Whoosh. The head of state insisted there are no issues regarding Whoosh debt repayment.
"I will take responsibility for all things Whoosh. Indonesia is not a random country, I don't think there is a problem," Prabowo said at Tanah Abang Station in Jakarta.
Built during the reign of former President Joko Widodo, the high-speed rail has become a collective responsibility, according to Prabowo. "So now I'm taking responsibility for Whoosh," he said.
According to Prabowo, Whoosh must not be judged based on profits and losses, as public transportation focuses less on revenues but on its benefits for the people. "That's how it is around the world," he said, referring to what he called the "public service obligation."
"Earlier, the Transportation Minister mentioned that the government subsidizes 60 percent of all our trains, while the people pay 20 percent. This is what it state presence means," he added.
The Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, opened the doors for state budget assistance in Whoosh debt repayment.
"The government, the state budget, will definitely be involved, but the specifics will be provided at a later time," the minister familiarly known as AHY said after meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, on Monday, November 3, 2025.
AHY stated that Prabowo is committed to resolving the debt issue of the high-speed train. The government will involve several parties in resolving this matter.
The issue of debt repayment for the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train Whoosh has drawn public attention, considering that the debt burden from the project has reached Rp116 trillion. Regarding this issue, Finance Minister Purbaya earlier ensured that the government would not use the state budget to bear the burden of the Whoosh debt.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article
Editor’s Choice: Whoosh Corruption Probe Tests KPK's Independence
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Meet the Airbus A400M: Key Facts on Indonesia's New Military Transport
2 jam lalu
The Airbus A400M military transport aircraft landed in Indonesia after a three-day journey from Seville, Spain.
Why Himbara Bank Shares Are Falling in the Prabowo Era
4 jam lalu
Share prices and market capitalization of state-owned banks have plunged over the past year as market sentiment shifts
Prabowo Says Indonesia Negotiating Purchase of Four More Airbus A400M Aircraft
16 jam lalu
The Indonesian government currently holds a contract for two Airbus A400M aircraft, with one already delivered to and in service with the TNI.
Former Minister Ignasius Jonan Visits Presidential Palace Amid Whoosh Debt Talks
20 jam lalu
Former Indonesian Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan previously expressed doubts about the construction of a high-speed train in 2016.
Inside Indonesia's New Airbus A400M: Specs, Roles, and Global Comparisons
22 jam lalu
What are the Airbus A400M's capabilities, and how does it compare to other military transport aircraft?
Indonesia's New Airbus A400M to Feature Air Ambulance and Forest Firefighting Modules
22 jam lalu
Prabowo said the new Airbus A400M will be fitted with air ambulance and forest fire response modules to boost military and humanitarian capacity.
Prabowo Orders Indonesian Military to Establish More Health Battalions
22 jam lalu
The addition of health battalions is to assist in national disaster management and humanitarian crises abroad.
Prabowo: Indonesia's New Airlifter Airbus A400M Could Assist Gaza Humanitarian Missions
23 jam lalu
The Airbus A400M transport aircraft can be used to evacuate wounded civilians and perform medical procedures.
Indonesia's Prabowo Ranks 15th on the World's 500 Most Influential Muslims 2026 List
1 hari lalu
The listing, compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), places Prabowo's ranking below Saudi Arabian Crown Prince MBS.
Facts About the Indonesia-South Korea KF-21 Fighter Jet Project
2 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that Indonesian ministers will discuss the KF-21 fighter jet project with South Korean ministers.
