Prabowo Quips About Ticket Payment as Journalists Join Nusantara Explorer Train Trial

President Prabowo Subianto trialled the Nusantara Explorer train from Semarang Tawang Station to Batang, Central Java. Prabowo joked with journalists who accompanied him on the train trial. Based on observations on Thursday (30/7/2026), Prabowo trialled the luxury train after inaugurating the heritage renovation of Semarang Tawang Station. Several officials joined Prabowo in boarding the train, which featured black carriages with gold accents. Prabowo then walked to the platform. He said this was the first time he had tried the Nusantara Explorer. “This is the first time, the first time I’m going to ride it,” Prabowo told reporters. The journalists then clamoured to persuade Prabowo to let them join the ride. Prabowo had no issue with it and joked that they would have to pay for their tickets. “Want to come along? Please. Please. But you have to pay, ha-ha-ha…,” he added. Previously, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya conveyed Prabowo’s plan to ride the Nusantara Explorer train for a trial. Prabowo boarded the Nusantara Explorer from Semarang Tawang Station to Batang. “Next, President Prabowo will ride the Nusantara Explorer train to Batang City for a trial. This train is a manifestation of the President’s desire for KAI to have a passenger train service that is beautiful, elegant, and comfortable for the public,” he said.