Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, officially launched the country’s first high-speed railway on Monday, October 2, 2023. The project, named “Whoosh”, connects the capital Jakarta with the city of Bandung in West Java province, a distance of 142 kilometers (88 miles).
The bullet train, which can reach a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour (217 mph), will cut the travel time between the two cities from more than three hours by car to about 45 minutes. Jokowi said the project was a “modernisation of our mass transportation that is environmentally friendly”.
The railway is also a symbol of Indonesia’s cooperation with China, as it is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure and development strategy launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The project is jointly built by a consortium of Indonesian and Chinese companies, with 75% of the funding coming from China Development Bank.
A long-awaited and challenging project
The Whoosh railway has been in the works since 2015, when Jokowi and Xi signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the project. However, it has faced several challenges and delays along the way, such as land acquisition issues, legal disputes, technical problems, cost overruns, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The original target date for completion was 2019, but it was pushed back several times until August 2023. The limited trial launch was also postponed from August 18 to October 2 due to some final safety tests. The project’s budget also increased from $5.5 billion to $7.3 billion.
Despite the difficulties, the project’s supporters have hailed it as a milestone for Indonesia’s infrastructure development and regional connectivity. They have also praised it as a model of win-win cooperation between Indonesia and China, which have been strengthening their ties in recent years.
Benefits and challenges for Indonesia and China
The Whoosh railway is expected to bring multiple benefits for both Indonesia and China. For Indonesia, it will boost economic growth, create jobs, reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility, and enhance tourism. It will also showcase Indonesia’s ambition to become a modern and competitive nation in Southeast Asia.
For China, it will expand its influence and presence in the region, showcase its technological prowess and expertise, promote its BRI vision and values, and foster mutual trust and friendship with Indonesia. It will also open up new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.
However, the project also faces some challenges and risks. For Indonesia, it will have to repay the loans from China with interest, ensure the safety and quality of the railway, manage the social and environmental impacts of the project, and balance its relations with other partners such as the United States and Japan.
For China, it will have to deal with the public perception and criticism of its BRI projects, which have been accused of being debt traps, geopolitical tools, or sources of corruption and environmental damage. It will also have to cope with the uncertainties and volatility of the regional and global situation.
A sign of hope amid COVID-19 crisis
The launch of the Whoosh railway comes at a time when Indonesia is still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 500,000 people in the country and caused severe economic and social disruptions. The project is seen as a sign of hope and resilience for the nation’s recovery and future.
Jokowi said that he hoped that the railway would “become an inspiration for us to continue working hard to build this country”. He also thanked China for its support and cooperation in the project and in fighting the pandemic. He said that he hoped that “this cooperation will continue to grow stronger in various fields”.
The railway is expected to start commercial operations in mid-October 2023, with free trial rides available until then. The ticket prices will range from 150,000 rupiah ($10) to 350,000 rupiah ($24) depending on the class and time of travel.
