Agrinas Chief Ready to Postpone Pickup Truck Imports from India for Merah Putih Village Cooperatives

Jakarta, VIVA – The proposal to import pickup trucks from India for the operational needs of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (Kopdes) has drawn scrutiny from various quarters, with critics warning it could deal a blow to the national automotive industry.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad has urged the government to first postpone the plan to import 105,000 pickup trucks from India for the village cooperatives.

In response, President Director of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota, stated that his company is prepared to follow the DPR’s guidance. Agrinas is known to have planned imports from Indian automotive firm Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M), which announced on its company website on 4 February 2026 that it would supply 35,000 units of the Scorpio pickup.

“Whatever the DPR says, we follow. Whatever the government says, we follow. The point is we are obedient, faithful, and loyal to the state and the people,” Joao said in Jakarta on Monday, 23 February 2026.

On 20 February 2026, Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota confirmed to domestic media the import of 105,000 vehicles from the Indian companies. The fleet comprises 35,000 units of 4x4 pickup trucks from M&M, followed by 35,000 units of 4x4 pickups and 35,000 units of six-wheeled lorries from Tata Motors.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita affirmed that Indonesia is already capable of producing pickup vehicles independently, which serves as proof of the national automotive industry’s self-reliance whilst delivering significant added economic value to the economy.

The minister explained on Thursday, 19 February, that if the procurement of 70,000 units of 4x2 pickup vehicles were fulfilled through domestic production, it would generate backward economic linkages of approximately Rp27 trillion.

Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said he had already conveyed a message to the government to postpone the plan to import 105,000 vehicles from India for the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative Programme (KDKMP).

According to him, the plan needs to be deferred as President Prabowo Subianto is still on a working visit abroad. He added that the President would discuss the finer details of the plan upon his return. Furthermore, he believes the President will also seek opinions from and assess the readiness of domestic companies.