Indonesia Has The Opportunity To Build A Rocket Platform In Papua, Is Elon Musk's SpaceX?

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia admits some investors are interested in building a special space airport in Indonesia. Bahlil said the government had offered Eastern Indonesia the most promising location for this space investment opportunity.

"But if asked where it is in the eastern region. But we cannot say where it is. That there is potential? Yes, The potential exists", he said, in a virtual press conference, Wednesday, February 24.

Although he said there was potential, Bahlil admitted that he could not reveal the details of the rocket's base. Bahlil argued that the government still needed time.

"Regarding the launch rocket, we are up to now, to be honest, there are informal and formal stories. But I haven't yet told it to the public. Please give us time to let us clear it first", he said.

Bahlil was also reluctant to reveal the company in question. He said BKPM will only announce the name of the company if there is a definite commitment.

Previously, President Jokowi invited Tesla Inc boss, Elon Musk, to invest in SpaceX's launching pad in Biak, Papua, as well as investing in electric vehicles.

Deputy for Investment and Mining Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Septian Hario Seto conveyed about investment in rocket platforms in Eastern Indonesia.

But unfortunately, there is no certainty about the rocket runway plan. In contrast, the government is still focusing on Tesla's investment in lithium batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

"Space-X, we offer it in Biak. But our focus is still on these two things (EV and ESS batteries)", said Seto in a virtual discussion, Friday, February 5.