Prabowo Launches National Electric Motorcycle and Ecosystem in Cikarang

President Prabowo Subianto officially launched the national electric motorcycle (MOLINAS) and its supporting ecosystem at the PT Ilectra Motor Group (ALVA) production facility in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, West Java, on Thursday. “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, on this afternoon, Thursday, 13 August 2024, by the grace of Almighty God, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, officially launch the national electric motorcycle and its supporting ecosystem,” said President Prabowo during the launch event in Cikarang.

During the launch procession, President Prabowo was accompanied by his cabinet ministers and representatives from the business sector, particularly entrepreneurs who have mass-produced electric motorcycles. Those accompanying the President on stage included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM and CEO of Danantara Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Commissioner of PT Indika Energy Arsjad Rasjid. President Prabowo also invited several other entrepreneurs onto the stage, including Hapsoro Sukmonohadi and Wisnu Wardhana. The President then pressed a siren button to symbolise the launch of the national electric motorcycle and its supporting ecosystem, before shaking hands with each entrepreneur on his right.

In his remarks, President Prabowo praised the courage of private sector players, especially those willing to take the risk of producing electric motorcycles amidst fierce competition from Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean electric motorcycles. For the President, the entrepreneurs’ move is part of a collective effort to build Indonesia, which he often refers to as Indonesia Incorporated. “Truly, Mr Arsjad, Mr Wisnu, Indika, you are still taking risks, you are facing extraordinary competition from great nations, Japan, Korea, China, and yet, you still dare,” said President Prabowo, commending the entrepreneurs’ initiative. President Prabowo continued that the entrepreneurs’ courage in producing electric motorcycles is part of the national interest, particularly in reducing dependence on imported fuel oil. “When I saw the electric motorcycle production facility, I saw that this is a national interest. We need to not depend on energy from outside our country. We are too big to depend on outsiders, too big. There is a war in a distant place, and our people could become victims,” the President stated.