Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa says he is still awaiting guidance from President Prabowo on the payment scheme for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail or Whoosh project debt, reportedly to be fully covered by the state budget APBN. This comes after the proposal emerged from government circles. Discussions remain in the negotiation phase with Danantara.
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the DPR RI complex in Senayan, Jakarta, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed he has not yet received specific instructions from President Prabowo regarding the payment of the Whoosh project debt. "I am still waiting for instructions (from President Prabowo)," he said. He stressed that the payment scheme remains uncertain, though the idea originated from Rosan Roeslani, CEO of Danantara.
"There is no specific guidance from the President yet. It came from Rosan, and that is still unclear," Purbaya added. He stated he would act promptly once presidential directions are clear: "If there is guidance from the President, I will handle it. Right now, no. At most, there is something but not firm."
The proposal to pay the Whoosh debt entirely from the APBN was first mentioned by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Gambir Station in Central Jakarta, following a press conference on economic stimulus. "Yes, the Whoosh debt will use APBN," Prasetyo said. However, he explained that the plan is still under technical review and negotiation, led by Rosan Roeslani.
"Not final yet; the latest report from the Danantara meeting, so there is still finalization. Now the negotiation or technical discussions are directly led by Mr. Rosan as CEO of Danantara," Prasetyo stated. The central government continues to address the technical aspects to resolve this matter.
