KPK Investigates Alleged Corruption in Whoosh Railway Project

JAKARTA – The Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) probe into alleged corruption in the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway Whoosh is proceeding after President Prabowo Subianto reassured the public about having “no major problems” with the project’s lingering debt.

The preliminary inquiry, which began earlier this year, is still ongoing and aims to determine whether any criminal acts of corruption occurred during the project. KPK deputy chairman Johanis Tanak said investigators are still gathering evidence.

“There is no prohibition [from the President] against conducting an investigation,” Johanis told reporters on wednesday.

“An investigation provides legal certainty.If no evidence is found, the case will be closed. But if indications of corruption emerge, we will inform the President,” he said. “[I am confident] the President will respect the process, as he has emphasized anticorruption in his campaign promises.”

Dubbed a flagship initiative of former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Southeast asia’s frist high-speed railway, Whoosh faced scrutiny even before it began operations in 2023. Critics cited cost overruns,mounting debt,and policy U-turns during its construction.

Whoosh was built and is operated by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), a joint venture owned by two consortiums from Indonesia and China. The Indonesian consortium, PT Pilar Sinergi BUMN Indonesia (PSBI), is made up of state-owned enterprises.