Import of Indian Pickup Trucks Risks Weakening Domestic Industry
The Justice Party’s Central Deliberation Board has raised concerns about the government’s policy to import pickup trucks from India to support the Merah Putih Village Cooperative programme, stating the policy must be subject to careful reconsideration.
The head of the Justice Party’s Central Deliberation Board, Mulyanto, stated that the policy to import pickup trucks from India by PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara should be viewed as part of a broader strategic issue, particularly regarding national industrial sovereignty amid global pressures. “This plan to import large quantities of pickup trucks from India potentially weakens domestic industry,” Mulyanto said in a written statement on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
According to him, whilst Indian pickup trucks meet specifications and price points that comply with national regulations, the government would be better served prioritising the strengthening of domestic industrial production. He expressed concern that the policy could result in Indonesia becoming a market for products with outdated technology. “This should serve as an alarm for the government to conduct an evaluation,” Mulyanto said.
He argued that whilst other nations continue strengthening domestic production and transitioning to the latest technologies, Indonesia risks becoming trapped in the position of a global consumption market. Therefore, Mulyanto urged the government to align with public and parliamentary demands to postpone the vehicle import policy pending further decisions. “This pattern can hinder modernisation and strengthening of national industry,” said the former Justice Party legislator.
News of the pickup truck imports by Agrinas was announced by Indian automotive company Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) on 4 February 2026, stating it would supply 35,000 Scorpio pickup units. Six days later, Tata Motors Limited announced plans to export 70,000 pickup units to Indonesia.
The problem, however, is that the policy was not first coordinated with Parliament. “Agrinas never specified the type and qualifications of vehicles for the Merah Putih Village Cooperative,” said Herman Khaeron, a member of Commission VI of Parliament, at the parliamentary complex on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Following the end of the parliamentary recess, Herman stated that Commission VI would summon Agrinas to request detailed explanations regarding the policy. Parliament also requested the policy be postponed pending further decisions.
On Monday, 23 February 2026, PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara’s Chief Executive Officer Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota stated he would comply with parliamentary and government requests. “We are obedient, faithful and loyal to the nation and people,” Joao said.