KPK states handling of Whoosh project case still in investigation phase
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has stated that the handling of the alleged criminal corruption related to the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project, or Whoosh, within PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) is still in the investigation phase.
“Regarding the Whoosh high-speed train, the process is still under investigation at this time,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.
When asked about the reason the KPK has not elevated the case to the prosecution stage despite the investigation having been ongoing since early 2025, Budi explained that it relates to case management.
“This is just case handling management because the KPK is currently dealing with many cases. For example, several closed investigations or sting operations carried out by the KPK in various regions in recent months,” he clarified.
Nevertheless, he stated that the KPK is still investigating the alleged corruption related to the Whoosh project.
“This investigation is still progressing. Several matters are also being handled by the investigators,” he said.
Previously, former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, in a video uploaded to his personal YouTube channel, Mahfud MD Official, on 14 October 2025, revealed allegations of criminal corruption in the form of budget inflation or mark-up in the Whoosh project.
“According to Indonesian calculations, the cost per kilometre of the Whoosh train is 52 million US dollars. However, in China itself, the calculation is 17-18 million US dollars. It has tripled,” he said.
He continued, “Who raised this? Where did the money go? It tripled. From 17 million US dollars, yes, US dollars, not rupiah, per kilometre to 52 million US dollars in Indonesia. That’s a mark-up. It must be investigated who did this initially.”
On 16 October 2025, the KPK urged Mahfud MD to file a report regarding the alleged corruption in the Whoosh project.
Following that, Mahfud MD and the KPK exchanged responses on the matter. Then, on 26 October 2025, Mahfud stated he was ready to be summoned by the KPK to provide information related to the alleged corruption in Whoosh.
Meanwhile, on 27 October 2025, the KPK announced that the alleged corruption related to Whoosh had been elevated to the investigation stage since early 2025.