Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s National Economic Council Chairman Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan discussed the repayment structure of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, known as Whoosh, with China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Chairman Zheng Shanjie.
Luhut raised the issue during a meeting with Zheng in Beijing on Friday, September 18, 2026. ANTARA confirmed the discussion following Luhut’s visit to China.
“When I met Chairman Zheng Shanjie of the NDRC, who is an old friend, I also raised the high-speed railway and the issue of Whoosh’s debt,” Luhut said, according to reports, Sunday, September 20.
Luhut said Indonesia needs technical follow-up on the debt structure. He also said relevant government officials had been informed about the discussions.
“Because we cannot just let this issue linger, as we would also bear the losses, there needs to be technical follow-up and we need to discuss the payment structure,” Luhut said.
He added that President Prabowo Subianto had given the green light for the government to proceed. Luhut said the National Economic Council would help accelerate discussions with China.
Luhut also said Chinese officials had not raised objections to the proposed repayment mechanism. However, he did not provide details of the final structure during the meeting.
The discussions come after former Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said Whoosh’s restructured debt could involve annual installments of around Rp1 trillion over a period of up to 80 years.
The government is also working on a plan to transfer 60 percent of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) to the central government through the Finance Ministry. The remaining 40 percent would stay with the Chinese consortium Beijing Yawan HSR Co. Ltd.
The Finance Ministry is conducting due diligence and evaluating the value of the shares involved in the transfer. The government is also preparing a presidential regulation for the process.
Meanwhile, Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani said the transfer of KCIC management to the Finance Ministry remains on track despite the change in finance minister from Purbaya to Suahasil Nazara.
Luhut also discussed the future expansion of the high-speed railway. He said Indonesia needs a coordinating minister to oversee the project’s continuation, although he did not confirm who would take the role.
The latest talks therefore cover both the repayment of Whoosh’s debt and the government’s plans for the railway’s future management and expansion.
