President Prabowo Subianto has firmly assured the nation that the government is actively committed to finding a comprehensive solution for the financial challenges faced by the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, also known as Whoosh. This crucial update was delivered by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), following a high-level meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace on Monday, November 3rd.
“The President conveyed that, regarding the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail, the state and the government will unequivocally be present, and we are engaging all relevant stakeholders to address this,” AHY stated, emphasizing the national priority placed on the issue.
AHY further elaborated on the extensive collaborative efforts already underway. He revealed that a prior coordination meeting had convened, bringing together key figures such as Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwaghandi, along with senior officials from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. These discussions culminated in a collective agreement on a shared resolution for the project’s substantial debt burden.
“Everyone is eager to play their part, to share in the responsibility of undertaking the financial restructuring of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail,” AHY affirmed, highlighting a unified resolve across various governmental and corporate entities.
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The state’s commitment to the financial restructuring will notably involve the utilization of the State Budget (APBN), according to AHY. While the specific modalities and detailed forms of government support are still being meticulously finalized, full transparency will be provided once the ongoing discussions reach a conclusive stage.
In parallel, AHY confirmed continuous coordination with both Danantara and the Chinese government as part of the intricate negotiation process for the restructuring. However, he prudently refrained from disclosing the specifics of these sensitive discussions, underscoring the delicate nature of such high-stakes negotiations.
“There are numerous aspects currently under negotiation. We prefer not to reveal details at this juncture because these are ongoing negotiations. Friends, please understand, negotiations require their own space to progress effectively,” he explained, stressing the importance of confidentiality for a successful outcome.
Looking beyond the immediate challenges, AHY unveiled the government’s ambitious vision for Indonesia’s transportation future. Should the financial complexities of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project be successfully resolved, the government plans to expand the high-speed rail network to other strategic regions, including a prospective Jakarta-Surabaya route extending all the way to Banyuwangi.
“Ultimately, once this current issue is successfully concluded, and we have secured the optimal solution, then we will simultaneously proceed with developing high-speed rail for subsequent critical routes,” he concluded, painting a picture of a well-connected, modern Indonesia powered by advanced rail infrastructure.
Summary
President Prabowo Subianto telah memberikan jaminan bahwa pemerintah berkomitmen penuh untuk mencari solusi komprehensif atas tantangan keuangan proyek kereta cepat Jakarta-Bandung (Whoosh). Menteri Koordinator Infrastruktur dan Pembangunan Wilayah, AHY, menyampaikan hal ini setelah pertemuan dengan Presiden Prabowo, menegaskan bahwa negara dan pemerintah akan hadir untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut. Pertemuan koordinasi yang melibatkan berbagai pihak telah mencapai kesepakatan kolektif mengenai resolusi beban utang proyek.
Komitmen negara terhadap restrukturisasi keuangan akan melibatkan penggunaan Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara (APBN), dengan rincian lebih lanjut yang masih difinalisasi. Koordinasi terus-menerus dilakukan dengan Danantara dan pemerintah Tiongkok dalam proses negosiasi yang sedang berlangsung, namun rinciannya tidak diungkapkan. Jika tantangan finansial ini berhasil diselesaikan, pemerintah berencana untuk memperluas jaringan kereta cepat ke wilayah strategis lainnya, termasuk rute potensial Jakarta-Surabaya hingga Banyuwangi.
