On Whoosh Project Debt Being Paid with State Budget, Purbaya Says: Awaiting Presidential Directive
Jakarta, VIVA – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has said he is still awaiting directives from President Prabowo regarding the repayment scheme for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail, known as Whoosh, which is reportedly set to be funded entirely from the state budget (APBN).
"I'm still waiting for directives [from President Prabowo]," Purbaya said at the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Purbaya stressed that his ministry was not yet in a position to confirm the debt repayment scheme for the Whoosh project. To date, he acknowledged that the proposed solution for the Whoosh debt repayment had only come from Rosan Roeslani in his capacity as CEO of Danantara.
"There has been no specific directive from the President. It has come from Rosan, and that is not yet clear," Purbaya said.
He added that once a specific directive and guidance from President Prabowo were issued, they would be carried out accordingly.
"If there is a presidential directive, I will execute it. But for now, there isn't one. At the very least, there is something, but it is not yet firm," he said.
The government's reported plan to repay the Whoosh project debt using APBN funds was first disclosed by State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi following a press conference on 'Economic Stimulus: Transport Fare Discounts for the 2026 Idul Fitri Holiday Period' at Gambir Station, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
"Yes, the Whoosh debt will use APBN," Prasetyo said.
However, he acknowledged that the proposal to repay the Whoosh project debt entirely from the state budget was still being considered and reviewed by the central government with regard to technical matters. Prasetyo said the government was continuing its negotiations and technical discussions, including with the involvement of Danantara.
"It is not yet final. The latest report from the meeting at Danantara indicates there is still finalisation to be done. The negotiation process and technical discussions are now being led directly by Pak Rosan as CEO of Danantara," he said.
"I'm still waiting for directives [from President Prabowo]," Purbaya said at the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Purbaya stressed that his ministry was not yet in a position to confirm the debt repayment scheme for the Whoosh project. To date, he acknowledged that the proposed solution for the Whoosh debt repayment had only come from Rosan Roeslani in his capacity as CEO of Danantara.
"There has been no specific directive from the President. It has come from Rosan, and that is not yet clear," Purbaya said.
He added that once a specific directive and guidance from President Prabowo were issued, they would be carried out accordingly.
"If there is a presidential directive, I will execute it. But for now, there isn't one. At the very least, there is something, but it is not yet firm," he said.
The government's reported plan to repay the Whoosh project debt using APBN funds was first disclosed by State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi following a press conference on 'Economic Stimulus: Transport Fare Discounts for the 2026 Idul Fitri Holiday Period' at Gambir Station, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
"Yes, the Whoosh debt will use APBN," Prasetyo said.
However, he acknowledged that the proposal to repay the Whoosh project debt entirely from the state budget was still being considered and reviewed by the central government with regard to technical matters. Prasetyo said the government was continuing its negotiations and technical discussions, including with the involvement of Danantara.
"It is not yet final. The latest report from the meeting at Danantara indicates there is still finalisation to be done. The negotiation process and technical discussions are now being led directly by Pak Rosan as CEO of Danantara," he said.