Questioning Tesla's Investment In Indonesia, Luhut: It's Not As Easy As Snapping Fingers, We Have To Be Patient

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan conveyed that the investment plan of a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk will still take time and a long process.

This was disclosed by Luhut considering that until now there has been no official agreement reached between Indonesia and Tesla.

“Entering investment from a company is not as easy as snapping a finger, it takes a long process and time. Moreover, this is an investment with a jumbo value. So we have to be patient, so that later we can really bring great benefits to the community and the country as we all hope," said Luhut in an official statement, quoted on Tuesday, May 24.

Luhut said the Coordinating Ministry for MARVES has been in communication for the last two years with Elon Musk and Tesla.

The founder of SpaceX, he said, is very interested in investing in the nickel industry in Indonesia, which is considered very promising to meet the needs of the electric vehicle ecosystem.

Since the meeting of the Indonesian delegation at the Tesla electric vehicle assembly plant in Austin, Texas, on April 26, Luhut continued, the Coordinating Ministry for MARVES and a team from Tesla appointed by Elon have continued to negotiate intensively to formulate various matters related to the detailed investment formula that will be used.

However, the final decision regarding the investment will be in the hands of the company.

"Tesla's team moved very quickly. They came to Indonesia earlier this month, visited several nickel processing plants, and we also responded quickly to show our seriousness and support. But it must be remembered, this is still in the negotiation stage, so Once again, all must be patient," he continued.

Meanwhile, during a visit to the SpaceX factory in Boca Chica, Texas some time ago, President Joko Widodo who was accompanied by Coordinating Minister Luhut also said that the talks between Indonesia and Elon Musk would include discussions on investment, technology, and innovation.

From the meeting, President Jokowi invited the richest person in the world to come to Indonesia in November to attend The Business 20 or B20 forum, which is an outreach group from the G20 that represents the international business community.

"The invitation was well-received by Elon Musk and said he would visit Indonesia in November," concluded Luhut.