Ahead of the inauguration of the Whoosh High-Speed Train serving the Jakarta-Padalarang route, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) conducted recruitment for various positions, including train attendants. It turns out that there was significant interest from job applicants for this position.

Eva Chairunisa, the General Manager of Corporate Secretary at KCIC, revealed that the total number of applicants for the KCIC train attendant position reached around 6,000 individuals, while only 12 were ultimately selected.

One of the requirements for prospective Whoosh High-Speed Train attendants is the ability to speak Chinese or Mandarin.

Therefore, Eva explained, there is an obligation for Mandarin language training to ensure that the attendants do not face language barriers while on duty.

Mandarin not obligatory

However, the CEO of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, refuted the information circulating regarding the Mandarin language being the mandatory requirement for prospective train attendants on the Jakarta-Bandung Whoosh high-speed train.

"It's not necessary at all. It's just for familiarity," Dwiyana stated at the Hub Space X KAI Expo 2023 held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Friday, September 29, 2023.

While he did not deny that one of the reasons for including the Mandarin language proficiency requirement is the ownership of a portion of the high-speed train project's shares by a Chinese state-owned enterprise (BUMN), Dwiyana emphasized that there is no strict mandate for Mandarin proficiency.

According to him, there are several other more important factors than Mandarin language proficiency, such as competence, and physical appearance.