After The Car, Prabowo Is Now Determined To Work On National Motorcycles And Electric Rickshaws

Prabowo during the launch of learning digitization at SMPN 4 Bekasi, West Java. (Photo: Kemensetneg)

JAKARTA - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, emphasized that Indonesia is preparing to stand alone in the automotive industry. After conveying its desire to produce national cars, now the number one person in the country is also determined to work on national motorcycles in the future.

"We will have our own Indonesian-made car, my own Indonesian-made motorbike, I have prepared it," said Prabowo Subianto in Bekasi, as quoted from the official Youtube of the Presidential Secretariat, Tuesday, November 18.

However, Prabowo did not elaborate on the model or production scheme to be used. He only ensured that all plans related to vehicle development had been prepared.

On the same occasion, Prabowo also conveyed plans to replace conventional rickshaws into electric rickshaws. He emphasized that it is no longer permissible for elderly pedicab drivers in Indonesia.

"I have prepared later all rickshaws throughout Indonesia, must use electric motorbikes. There is no longer allowed for rickshaw drivers to be over 70 years old. Later, please help the ministers think about what the plan will be," he said.

Previously, Prabowo had targeted that Indonesia could produce national cars in the next three years. This national car project also gained interest from the Hyundai Motor Group in a meeting with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and others in South Korea.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry through Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that national car production will be carried out together with PT Pindad (Persero) and technical and conceptual discussions are ongoing.

However, there has been no official announcement regarding when a national motorbike will be launched, which manufacturing party will be involved, or what the cooperation scheme will be.