Guess What? Tunky Ariwibowo

Guess What? Tunky Ariwibowo

"It's easy to build our own car," Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo said to a bunch of journalists while briefing them on Indonesia's automotive industry earlier this week.

The problem, Tunky said, lies in whether Indonesians will buy the product.

The minister managed to spare some time to explain the Indonesian automotive industry, which has been incessantly criticized for enjoying too much protection from the government.

The issue has been in the media since a high ranking official promised to lower the level of protection.

"When Indonesia launches its own product," Tunky said, "the first question from the people will be...," and one journalist continued, "whether the car will run."

"Not only that," Tunky retorted. "It's easy to make a car that starts, the real question is whether the car can stop." Tunky laughed. (rid)