Prabowo Launches New EV Plant as Indonesia Eyes Renewable Energy Shift

2 weeks ago 6

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated a commercial electric vehicle assembly plant operated by PT VKTR Sakti Industries in Magelang, Central Java, today, Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Prabowo arrived at the site around 11:30 a.m., donning a brown safari shirt. The head of state was accompanied by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

"Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, today, Thursday, April 9, 2026, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate the VKTR commercial electric vehicle assembly plant," said Prabowo during the inauguration, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel.

Earlier, Prabowo took a tour inspecting various vehicles assembled at the factory, such as electric trucks and buses. He was also seen getting on one of the electric Transjakarta buses manufactured by the factory.

Sitting in one of the seats at the back, Prabowo listened to an explanation from the Chief Commissioner of PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas, Anindya Novyan Bakrie.

Yesterday, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the inauguration is part of the efforts toward new renewable energy (EBT) transformation to realize national energy independence.

"We must shift from fossil-based energy to new renewable energies, one of which is electric-based," said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The government is now making efforts to transform the national working culture to deal with global dynamics and encourage a more efficient, productive, and digital-based work pattern. To achieve this, Indonesia is pushing for electric vehicle use and mass transportation.

"We hope to gradually improve our public transportation for wider utilization. Hopefully, in the future, we will be energy-independent, but it does take time," he said.

Read: Prabowo Defends Frequent Overseas Visits for Energy Security

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