JAKARTA - Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, responded to the debt controversy surrounding the Indonesia-China High-Speed Train (KCIC) project, also known as Whoosh. Puan confirmed that the House of Representatives (DPR) will immediately discuss and review the matter with the government.
"Whoosh will be discussed in the relevant commission with the government. Yes, we will jointly review the technical aspects within the government," Puan said at a press conference at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 4.
Puan stated that the DPR will confirm the government's view on the debt issue surrounding Whoosh, which was built during the era of Indonesia's 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). This includes the state's financial condition, both at the time of the project's construction and today.
"Then (we'll see) the government's stance, the financial situation then and now," Puan stated.
Puan assured that the DPR, together with the government, will seek an appropriate solution to prevent prolonged state financial losses.
"Yes, we must communicate with the government what will happen and what the current government's stance will be to prevent prolonged state losses," she said.
Previously, Puan had stated that the House of Representatives (DPR) would discuss the Whoosh debt controversy during this session. Puan made this statement while opening the second session of the 2025-2026 session year during the 7th plenary session at the DPR RI Building, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 4. In her speech, Puan stated that the DPR would soon discuss various issues.
"In carrying out its oversight function, the DPR RI, through its complementary apparatus, will hold discussions through working meetings with the government on issues that attract attention and impact the lives of the people," Puan said.
Puan also outlined the issues in question, including the handling and anticipation of hydrometeorological disasters, the handling of the Cesium-137 radioactive contamination case in the Cikande industrial area, the resolution of citizenship issues for children resulting from intermarriages, and the implementation of building standards in religious educational settings.
Next, the House of Representatives (DPR) will discuss accelerating internet access to remote villages, achieving food and energy self-sufficiency targets, fuel procurement for private gas stations, regulating online content on digital platforms, and accelerating plans to eliminate BPJS Kesehatan (Social Security Agency) premium arrears.
"The DPR will also evaluate the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG), the National Internship Program, and the 3 Million Homes Program," said Puan.
Puan stated that the DPR will also discuss plans to deploy Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) troops on a peacekeeping mission in Gaza, an evaluation of the policy of placing state funds in state-owned banks (Himbara), and the issue of regional government funds languishing in banks, based on Bank Indonesia data.
"We will also discuss the settlement of the Indonesia-China High-Speed Train (KCIC) debt," Puan said.
Puan also emphasized that the government must be committed to implementing every recommendation resulting from the DPR working meeting.
"In carrying out its checks and balances function regarding the implementation of policies, programs, and budget management, the government must be committed to implementing every recommendation resulting from the DPR RI working meeting," he concluded.
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