Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto declared he would take full responsibility for the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed train project, Whoosh, amid growing debate over its debt burden. 

Speaking after inaugurating Tanah Abang Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (4/11/2025), he said the project’s challenges were manageable.

“No need to worry about Whoosh. I’ve studied the issue, there’s no problem. I’ll take full responsibility,” the President told reporters, as quoted by antaranews.com.

President Prabowo said that public transportation projects like Whoosh should not be judged solely by profit but by their social benefits, calling it a Public Service Obligation. He revealed plans to extend the route beyond Surabaya to Banyuwangi, arguing the annual cost of Rp 1.2 trillion was justified by reduced congestion, pollution, and travel time. President Prabowo also reiterated Indonesia’s capacity to finance the project responsibly, stating it symbolizes strategic cooperation with China and the transfer of modern rail technology to Indonesia.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)