Prabowo hopes provincial governments and TNI will buy domestically produced electric vehicles

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto hopes that provincial governments to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will purchase electric-based vehicles such as buses and trucks made domestically, to support the national industry. Prabowo stated this at the inauguration of the electric commercial vehicle assembly plant in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday. “We hope that other provincial governments will also support and buy our own nation’s products throughout the country. The Cabinet Secretary notes those governors who do not order domestic products. Buses and trucks and so on. TNI is also told to buy domestic products,” said Prabowo. This request was conveyed by Prabowo in line with the development of domestic production capabilities for commercial vehicles, including electric buses and trucks. The President mentioned that the national industry, in this case PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas, is now capable of producing electric buses with a capacity of up to 10,000 units, with a domestic component level (TKDN) of around 40 percent. This figure is targeted to increase to 60 percent in two years and reach 80 percent in the next stage. Prabowo noted orders for buses by regional governments, including the Central Java Provincial Government and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through Transjakarta services. “So there is already a bus industry, a truck industry and I thank the Governor of Central Java, he said the Central Java Regional Government has already ordered dozens of buses. From DKI also quite a lot, Transjakarta,” said the President. On that occasion, the Head of State also appreciated the development of the domestic commercial vehicle industry, which he assessed as showing a clear direction for industrial development. Prabowo views the development of the electric vehicle industry as part of efforts to transition energy, reducing dependence on fossil-based energy and directing towards the use of cleaner energy. “So, the initiative carried out by VKTR, VKTR Industry, is historic, it is a proud milestone. Like we were taught what is that term, a proverb like that. Like the saying, when the flower is desired, the dish arrives,” said Prabowo. Prabowo hopes that PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas can develop into one of the national flagship companies in the commercial vehicle sector, in line with the existence of major automotive manufacturers in other countries. “I hope VKTR will become one of our national champions. If Japan has Isuzu, has Hino, if Korea has Hyundai, Daewoo, I hope in a few years we will see VKTR as one of the champions from Indonesia,” said Prabowo. At the inauguration, Prabowo was accompanied by the State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Main Commissioner of PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas Anindya Novyan Bakrie, and Governor of Central Java Ahmad Luthfi.