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Hello reader,

Has Whoosh become more trouble than it’s worth? Controversy surrounding the high-speed train has entered a new chapter as the KPK is launching a probe into the debt-ridden railway project.

If this goes further, serious questions will be asked of the previous administration. The track likely won’t go further than Bandung, either.

That, and the top stories of the day, just below. Let’s speed things up.

Cheers,

Andra

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Law/Politics

• The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has launched a probe into alleged irregularities in the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail project, Whoosh, which began operations in 2023. The probe remains at the preliminary inquiry stage, with no names yet disclosed. Responding to the development, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) recalled that its chair, Megawati Soekarnoputri, had warned back in 2015 about the project’s readiness and potential benefits. The Whoosh project, run by the joint venture PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), was part of a National Strategic Project under former President Joko Widodo (who, of course, was a PDI-P cadre before an acrimonious split in 2024) and has long faced questions over cost overruns and transparency.

• KPK has summoned the Regent of Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), South Sumatra, Teddy Meilwansyah, and OKU Regional House Speaker Sahril Elmi as witnesses in a corruption case involving the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PUPR) for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. Other witnesses include local legislators, civil servants, and private contractors. The KPK is also questioning five convicts previously jailed for related offenses, following an earlier sting operation in March 2025 that led to six arrests. The probe recently expanded with four new suspects, including OKU’s Deputy Speaker and two businessmen.

• Former House of Representatives (DPR) Speake, Setya Novanto, who was convicted in the e-KTP corruption case, is facing a new legal challenge after his conditional release from prison was brought to the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN). The lawsuit, filed on October 22, targets the Minister of Immigration and Corrections and the Director General of Corrections, arguing that Setya should not have received early release due to his alleged involvement in another money laundering case. His lawyer stated that if the court grants the lawsuit, Setya could be sent back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

• Police have arrested the suspects involved in the assault and shooting of a 34-year-old lawyer, identified as WA, in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. The attack occurred yesterday morning near the Greenwood Building on Jalan KH Mas Mansyur, leaving the victim with a gunshot wound to the upper right back. The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute between rival groups over a land conflict. Authorities have questioned around 40 witnesses and seized 20 sharp weapons, three blunt objects, and an air rifle from the scene.

• After more than four months of trial, actress Nikita Mirzani was sentenced to four years in prison and fined IDR 1 billion for extortion against Reza Gladys. The South Jakarta District Court ruled that Nikita was guilty of extorting IDR 4 billion through threats of defamation, including derogatory comments made during a TikTok livestream and private messages demanding payment. The court found her actions met multiple elements of coercion under the Electronic Information and Transactions Act (UU ITE), though she was cleared of money laundering charges. The verdict was lighter than the 11-year sentence sought by prosecutors.

Business/Economy

• Central bank governors from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Bali for the 61st SEACEN (Southeast Asian Central Banks) Governors’ Conference, agreeing to strengthen regional economic resilience through closer collaboration amid global uncertainty, digital transformation, and the shift toward sustainable economies. Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo stressed the need for unified regional action and shared five key measures: integrating monetary, macroprudential, and payment system policies; enhancing systemic oversight; expanding cross-border digital payment connectivity; reinforcing institutional capacity and independence; and developing human resources to meet future challenges. The meeting also marked the beginning of Indonesia’s transition to chair SEACEN in 2026, succeeding the Bank of Korea.

• Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa supported Jokowi’s statement that the Whoosh project was not intended to seek profit, but rather to promote regional development and public welfare. He explained that while the project has not yet generated significant economic growth in surrounding areas, it carries a broader social mission to reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and enhance public productivity. Purbaya emphasized that public transportation should be viewed as a social investment, not merely a financial one, with long-term benefits for the nation’s economy and environment.

• Purbaya said he would not continue the burden-sharing scheme between the Finance Ministry and Bank Indonesia, emphasizing that such cooperation could blur the line between fiscal and monetary policy. He stated that President Prabowo Subianto never instructed the continuation of this scheme, which was previously used during crisis periods to share government bond interest costs. Purbaya stressed that Bank Indonesia must remain independent to prevent political shifts from influencing long-term monetary policy. While acknowledging that burden sharing could be useful during emergencies, he insisted on maintaining clear boundaries between fiscal and monetary domains.

• The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) aims to have 50 companies conduct initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2026, an increase from this year’s projection of surpassing the initial goal of 45 listings. IDX President Director Iman Rachman said the positive performance this year reflects strong growth in listed companies, fundraising, and investor activity. As of October 24, there are 955 listed stocks with 23 new additions, including five large-cap lighthouse IPOs. Investor numbers have reached 19.1 million, up 28% from 2024, with 8 million stock investors, which is nearly five times higher than in 2020. The IDX recorded total fundraising of IDR 202.6 trillion this year and a market capitalization jump of 23% to IDR 15,234 trillion.

• A surge of motorcycle problems has been reported across Tuban, Bojonegoro, and the Greater Surabaya area, where many riders experienced sudden engine sputtering or stalling after refueling with Pertalite gasoline. Several motorists claimed their vehicles’ performance dropped noticeably after filling up, prompting complaints to Pertamina. The company acknowledged receiving reports and announced plans for laboratory testing on fuel samples from its Tuban terminal to verify product quality. Pertamina also set up complaint posts in affected areas and reassured the public that all fuel distributed undergoes strict quality control and that fuel supply across stations remains stable.

Everything Else

• A viral discussion has emerged in Indonesia about photographers taking unsolicited photos of joggers in public spaces. Drone Emprit founder Ismail Fahmi shared his unsettling experience while jogging near Palembang Icon Mall, where multiple photographers surrounded and took his pictures without consent, and even using AI-based facial recognition to identify people. The situation escalated when his wife joined him, as photographers crowded around her too, making the moment feel creepy and intimidating. Ismail warned that such behavior could be exploited by individuals with ill intent posing as photographers and called for government and industry discussions to establish clear privacy and ethical rules for photography in public spaces.