The Journey of the Whoosh High-Speed Train: From Early Opposition to Heavy Debt

The Jakarta–Bandung High-Speed Rail (KCJB), also known as Whoosh, has faced a long and challenging journey, beginning with early resistance from former Minister of Transportation Ignatius Jonan and now struggling under massive debt burdens.

Danantara Investment Management Agency is currently working with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) to address the financial issues facing PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) and find a viable solution.

Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Danantara, Dony Oskaria, confirmed last Friday in Jakarta that exploratory discussions are underway and are expected to be finalized soon. He added that the resolution plan for Whoosh will be incorporated into Danantara's 2025 Corporate Work Plan and Budget (RKAP).

“We are conducting preliminary assessments. The process will be completed, as previously stated by PT KAI's President Director in Parliament. It will be part of our RKAP this year,” Dony said, quoted by Antara last Monday.

Meetings with PT KAI have already taken place. During a hearing with Commission VI of the Indonesian Parliament on Wednesday, August 20, PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin proposed restructuring the Whoosh project. “We are also reviewing KCIC's issues; it is truly a ticking time bomb. We will coordinate with Danantara to resolve it, including corrective steps and portfolio restructuring,” he stated.

KCIC Project Timeline

Opposition from Minister Jonan

In early 2016, Minister of Transportation Ignatius Jonan stated that PT KCIC had not yet completed several key requirements for the project. He also admitted uncertainty over whether the consortium had deposited the mandatory Rp 1.25 trillion in capital.

As a result, Jonan doubted the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for January 21 could proceed as planned. “Many requirements remain unmet, so I cannot confirm yet,” he said at the Presidential Office on Monday, January 4, 2016.

In addition to capital, several permits—including route revision and environmental approval (Amdal)—had yet to be finalized. The high-speed rail line also intersected with the LRT route in certain sections.

Escalating Project Costs

In September 2021, KCIC affirmed that operational targets remained set for late 2022 despite cost overruns.

“This issue will not delay operational readiness or construction acceleration,” said KCIC Corporate Secretary Mirza Soraya on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

The cost overrun was estimated at US$1.9 billion (Rp 27.17 trillion), raising the total budget to Rp 113.9 trillion. The Indonesian consortium's additional share of around Rp 4.1 trillion was proposed to be covered by State Capital Injection (PMN) 2022.

Multiple On-Site Incidents

The project also experienced various incidents. On December 5, a support pillar in DK46, Telukjambe Barat, Karawang collapsed during dismantling, crushing an excavator.

Previously, on October 22, 2019, drilling works caused a Pertamina oil pipeline explosion, killing one worker. PT Wijaya Karya's CEO, Tumiyana, attributed the accident to miscommunication due to language barriers.

On March 2, 2020, construction was temporarily halted again after causing flooding along the Jakarta–Cikampek Toll Road. Acting Director General of Construction Development at the Ministry of Public Works, Danis Sumadilaga, explained that drainage channels were blocked due to project activities.

Official Launch

On October 2, 2023, KCIC officially launched the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail as part of Indonesia's National Strategic Projects (PSN) under Presidential Regulation No. 3 of 2016. Funding was secured without state budget support or government guarantees—75 percent came from China Development Bank loans, while the remaining 25 percent was split between PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (60 percent) and Beijing Yawan HSR Co. Ltd. (40 percent). The 142-km route includes four stations: Halim, Karawang, Padalarang, and Tegalluar.

Tender Case

In 2024, a report alleged tender collusion involving PT CRRC Sifang Indonesia and PT Anugerah Logistik Prestasindo. Investigators from KPPU suspected the two parties of hindering competition, violating Article 22 of Law No. 5/1999 on Prohibition of Collusive Tendering.

KCIC emphasized it was not involved in the procurement of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) transport services. “KCIC did not participate in that procurement process,” affirmed Corporate Secretary GM Eva Chairunisa on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.