Vietnamese crab exporterdouble-skinned crabsgood crab

KPK: President’s Support for Whoosh Doesn’t Interfere With Corruption Investigation

Yustinus Paat
November 6, 2025 | 9:06 pm
SHARE
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo speaks to reporters at the Merah Putih KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (Beritasatu.com/Yustinus Paat)
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo speaks to reporters at the Merah Putih KPK building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (Beritasatu.com/Yustinus Paat)

Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s recent remarks in which he said he was ready to take responsibility for the financing of the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail project, known as Whoosh, including its debts.

The anti-graft body stressed that the president’s comments have no influence on its ongoing probe into alleged corruption in the project.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the inquiry is focused specifically on suspected irregularities in the procurement process, not on political statements about the future of the railway.

“KPK’s focus is on the legal process regarding the procurement. We are working to determine whether a criminal act occurred,” Budi told reporters at the agency’s headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said the investigation is intended to ensure that no public funds are misused and that government programs --including Prabowo’s flagship infrastructure initiatives-- can proceed without corruption.

“Every rupiah allocated for development is degraded when corruption happens. What we are doing is to support government programs by keeping them clean,” he said.

Budi confirmed that investigators have summoned several people believed to have relevant knowledge of the procurement phase, but declined to provide names or details because the probe remains at the preliminary stage.

The Whoosh project has become a hot topic after former chief security minister Mahfud MD alleged in a recent YouTube video that Indonesia’s cost per kilometer for the high-speed line was nearly three times that of similar lines in China --around US$52 million in Indonesia versus $17–18 million in China.

“Where did the money go? That must be investigated,” Mahfud said.

KPK acknowledged earlier this year that it began probing Whoosh in early 2025.

President Prabowo Subianto said Tuesday that he would take responsibility for the mounting Chinese debt that had derailed the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train.

According to Prabowo’s estimates, Indonesia has to pay Rp 1.2 trillion ($71.8 million) annually to Beijing for the multibillion-dollar loan that the country had taken out to build the rail line.  The retired army general even assured the state railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) -- the biggest bearer of the debt -- “not to worry”.

“I have studied the issue, and there is no problem here. I will take responsibility for Whoosh, everything related to it,” Prabowo said in a rare comment on the debt crisis that had been making international headlines.

 

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


Lifestyle Jul 15, 2026 | 5:00 pm

Whoosh Serves 573,780 Passengers During School Holiday Surge

Whoosh serves 573,780 passengers during school holidays as daily ridership jumps 26.5% on strong Jakarta-Bandung travel demand.
Business Jun 30, 2026 | 12:36 am

Indonesia Requires Foreign Executives at State Firms to Declare Assets

Indonesia's anti-graft agency says foreign executives at state-owned firms must file asset declarations like local officials.
News Jun 26, 2026 | 9:06 pm

KPK Investigates ‘Click Fee’ Scheme in Bali Immigration Offices

KPK is probing alleged ‘click fees’ paid to process visas and residence permits for foreigners in Bali.
Business Jun 24, 2026 | 2:22 pm

China Says Fast Train Debt Talks with Indonesia on ‘Right Track’

China says that the discussions with Indonesia on the train debt have been "going well", but stay tight-lipped on the details.
News Jun 17, 2026 | 8:44 pm

KPK Backs Free Meals Program, Calls for Stronger Oversight

KPK urged greater transparency in Indonesia’s free meals program as corruption probes and food safety concerns mount.
News Jun 3, 2026 | 7:08 pm

KPK Raids Extend to Bali and West Java in Foreign Residency Permit Case

Indonesia's anti-graft agency expanded an immigration corruption probe after detaining a senior official over foreign residency permits.
News May 16, 2026 | 2:26 pm

President Prabowo Vows No Protection for Corrupt Officials, Including Allies

Prabowo says no official, ally, or Gerindra member implicated in corruption will be protected from investigation.
News May 6, 2026 | 7:32 pm

KPK Charges Blueray Cargo Boss Over Rp 61B Customs Bribes

Indonesian prosecutors charge Blueray Cargo owner in Rp 61B bribery scheme to bypass customs checks.
News May 5, 2026 | 10:46 am

KPK Probes Potential Corruption in People’s School Shoe Procurement

KPK is reviewing a Rp 27 billion shoe procurement for People’s Schools after scrutiny over a Rp 700,000 per pair estimate.
News Apr 20, 2026 | 10:51 pm

KPK Reveals How Trusted Circles Help Launder Corruption Proceeds

KPK says corruption schemes rely on networks of family, aides and “ani-ani” to channel and conceal illicit funds.

The Latest


Business 22 hours ago

Prabowo Orders Up to 50 Ethanol Plants to Support E20 Fuel Program

Indonesia plans E20 gasoline within years, backed by up to 50 new ethanol plants and a nationwide sugarcane replanting drive.
Lifestyle 23 hours ago

US, Canada, Mexico Claim Success as World Cup Co-Hosts

US, Canada, Mexico have claimed success as host countries for the World Cup as enthusiasm soars for the final match.
News Jul 18, 2026 | 1:12 pm

China’s WAICO or US-Led Pax Silica? Indonesia Stays Neutral

Indonesia says that it is taking part in the two AI-related initiatives proposed by the rivalring major powers China and the US.
Business Jul 18, 2026 | 11:25 am

JCI Posts Strongest Weekly Gain in Months on Debt Confidence

Indonesia's benchmark index climbed 4.24% this week as healthy external debt data lifted sentiment despite global uncertainties.
News Jul 17, 2026 | 9:19 pm

Febrie Adriansyah Denies All Allegations After 11-Hour AGO Questioning

Former prosecutor Febrie Adriansyah denied all allegations, including claims he received Rp 50 billion, after an 11-hour AGO questioning.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED