Purbaya Gives Latest Update on Whoosh Debt Restructuring, Here's What He Said

Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has confirmed that discussions regarding debt restructuring for the Indonesia-China High-Speed Railway (Whoosh) project have been concluded.

He explained that the Indonesian government has made a decision on the steps to resolve the debt going forward, which will be announced by President Prabowo Subianto or other relevant officials.

“The meeting has already concluded, but it will be for the President or the government to officially announce it, not me. But the path forward is already clear,” Purbaya said at the Finance Ministry in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

The statement was made in response to Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), who had stated during a press conference on the Best Quick Results Programme (PHTC) and Lebaran holiday return preparations on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, that the continuation of the Whoosh high-speed railway project to East Java is being pursued in parallel whilst awaiting the financial restructuring of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China, the operator of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (KCJB).

AHY said he has held meetings with the Finance Ministry and Danantara Indonesia regarding plans for Whoosh to operate as far as Banyuwangi, East Java.

AHY explained that whilst developing the next phase of the Whoosh project, the government will also ensure that the financial restructuring of KCJB continues. According to him, the financial restructuring of KCJB is crucial as it will affect the roadmap for developing Whoosh to East Java.

Furthermore, AHY stated that once a solution to the financial problems of KCJB has been found, the future phases of the Whoosh project can be continued.

“We should first ensure that the KCJB is completed, meaning that a good solution has been found, only after that can we develop the next phases,” he said.

AHY emphasised that the government remains committed to managing and developing Whoosh so that its benefits can be felt by a wider population. He noted that the presence of Whoosh extending to the outermost regions of East Java can transform the development landscape in the areas it passes through.