The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, takes full responsibility for the Whoosh train’s debt, promising repayment without burdening the state budget.
Subianto has recently emphasised that he and his administration are assuming responsibility for repaying the annual debt of Rp1.2 trillion related to the Whoosh high-speed train project.
“Don’t worry about all the fuss over Whoosh. I’ve studied the issue — there’s no problem. I will take full responsibility for Whoosh,” Subianto stated during the inauguration of Tanah Abang Baru Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, the 4th of November.
He underlined that Indonesia possesses sufficient financial capacity to manage the obligation without directly burdening the State Budget (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara or APBN).
“I’ve already said that the President of the Republic of Indonesia is taking over the responsibility. So there’s no need for any fuss. We are capable, and we are strong,” Subianto affirmed.
The President also explained that he intends to use state funds recovered from corrupt individuals to settle the Whoosh project’s debt.
“The money is there. I’ve secured funds that were previously embezzled and have since been recovered by the state. I didn’t let them slip away. So, my brothers and sisters, I ask you to help me ensure we don’t let these corruptors run rampant. There will be plenty of money for us — for all the people,” Subianto added.
His remarks follow an earlier statement from Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who had stressed that the government would not cover the debts of the Whoosh project. According to Sadewa, the project’s financial obligations remain the responsibility of the State-Owned Enterprises (Badan Usaha Milik Negara or BUMN) involved.
In addition to taking over the Whoosh debt, the President also expressed his intention to extend the Jakarta–Bandung Whoosh High-Speed Railway to the eastern tip of Java Island, reaching Banyuwangi.
“God willing, I ask that it not only reach Surabaya, but also Banyuwangi. Surabaya was the goal before, but now it should continue to Banyuwangi,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Corruption Eradication Commission (Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi or KPK) has confirmed that its investigation into alleged corruption in the Jakarta–Bandung Whoosh High-Speed Train project will continue.
KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak stated that the agency operates strictly in accordance with the law and is not influenced by political considerations.
“We will continue the investigation until we reach clarity on whether or not corruption occurred,” Tanak told the press on the following Wednesday (the 5th of November).