Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — President Prabowo Subianto has ordered all Indonesian ministers to transition to using domestically produced vehicles for official duties, marking a significant push toward bolstering the national automotive industry. Starting next week, ministers and senior officials will no longer use the imported Toyota Alphard model, but instead, will drive the Maung cars, a vehicle manufactured by Indonesian Defense company PT Pindad.
Deputy Minister of Finance III, Anggito Abimanyu, shared the news during an address at Gadjah Mada University’s Vocational School Anniversary on Monday, October 28, 2024. “Next week, I’ll be driving a Maung cars from Pindad. President Prabowo has made it clear—no more imported cars for ministers or echelon 1 officials,” Abimanyu stated, praising the policy for its bold move toward self-reliance.
Currently, ministers and deputy ministers are still permitted to use their Alphard vehicles, but the switch to locally produced models will be mandatory by next month. Prabowo’s directive aims to boost Indonesia’s automotive industry and support the development of domestically produced vehicles, from concept design to full-scale production.
PT Pindad’s Maung vehicles boast a 70% domestic component ratio, showcasing significant local industry involvement. While the specific model of the Maung designated for ministers has not been disclosed, Abimanyu emphasized that all vehicles assigned to Cabinet officials will be Indonesian-made.
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Pindad’s President Director, Abraham Mose, confirmed the company’s readiness to meet the demand for ministerial vehicles, in line with President Prabowo’s mandate. “We are prepared to deliver, and support facilities and infrastructure are being arranged. Pindad has made strong strides in production, and the results are ready and in use,” Mose said Monday in Jakarta.
President Prabowo himself has already set the example, using a custom Pindad Maung cars model, the MV3 Garuda Limousine, as his official vehicle. PT Pindad confirmed that the white MV3 Garuda Limousine was specially developed to serve both President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka following their inauguration. The MV3 Garuda Limousine is the latest in the MV3 line, designed specifically to meet the needs and directives set forth by the Indonesian President.
(Raidi/Agung)
