January 28, 2026 | 07:23 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned construction firm PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA) has confirmed that the company filed a Rp4.37 trillion claim through arbitration at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). This action was taken regarding claims that have not been agreed upon by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC). WIKA's lawsuit pertains to construction costs for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway Project, popularly known as Whoosh.
WIKA Corporate Secretary Ngatemin stated that the arbitration process is currently ongoing. "Currently, the arbitration process in Singapore is proceeding in accordance with applicable mechanisms," he said in a written statement to Tempo on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The arbitration process was initially revealed in the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) Report for the first semester of 2025, issued in December 2025. The report contains audit results of financial management and accountability from the 2022 fiscal year through the first semester of 2024 at WIKA, its subsidiaries, and other related agencies across the provinces of DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Banten, and North Sumatra.
The BPK explained that the Rp4.37 trillion construction cost discrepancy has not been settled by PT KCIC following the project's completion. Meanwhile, PT WIKA is part of PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (PSBI), a state-owned enterprise consortium holding a 60 percent stake. PT PSBI consists of PT Wika, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), PT Jasa Marga, and PT Perkebunan Nusantara I.
The overall shareholder structure in PT KCIC includes the PSBI consortium at 60 percent and China Railway at 40 percent. In 2017, China Railway divested all of its shares in PT KCIC to Beijing Yawan.
The BPK further explained that the discrepancy arises from the realization of income and project costs for the September 2024 period, showing total income, including escalations, at Rp16.58 trillion against cost realizations, including income tax (PPh), amounting to Rp20.9 trillion.
If this claim remains unpaid, the BPK stated that WIKA is at risk of suffering losses, thereby affecting the company's financial health. "PT WIKA is currently seeking several claims against PT KCIC through the SIAC arbitration process to obtain payment for these construction costs," the BPK noted.
Although the process is still underway, Ngatemin said that WIKA is currently consulting with its majority shareholders. The company also continues to seek guidance from these majority shareholders regarding subsequent steps.
Corporate Secretary of PT KCIC, Eva Chairunisa, did not respond when asked about the BPK's findings. However, she expressed appreciation for the government's attention regarding the plan to establish the National High-Speed Train Committee. This committee will discuss the debt restructuring scheme for Whoosh and plans to extend the route to Surabaya, East Java. Management will follow the government's directives. "This is a great form of attention from the government," she said.
Deni Surjantoro, Head of the Communication Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, stated that the ministry discussed the plan with the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, on January 20, 2026. The BPK's findings have not yet been a topic of discussion in that meeting.
"It hasn't reached that topic, but surely it will all be included in a more detailed discussion," he said when contacted on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Read: Why a Growing Shadow Economy Risks Indonesia's Fiscal Stability
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