Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Inauguration of the 2024 Indonesia International Motor Show Automotive Exhibition, JI Expo Kemayoran Jakarta, February 15, 2024

Journalists

Good morning, sir. How are you, sir? You look really happy, sir. Your have a really big smile, sir. How did today’s event go? How was your inspection?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, I clearly see there are many electric cars on display, and I think the future of Indonesian automotive lies indeed in electric cars because we have nickel and other raw materials.

Journalists

Is there a car that you’re looking for, sir? Is there a car that you’re looking for and attracts you?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I already have many cars at the Palace.

Journalists

Will the Government provide any additional incentives for electric cars, sir? Will the incentives be provided for electric cars, electric vehicles or electric buses?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Not yet for this moment, but we will push for a reduction in value added tax (VAT). I think this will encourage sales and later this will push electric vehicle (EV) factories in Indonesia to produce more. I think we are moving to such a direction to be able to compete with other countries if we have succeeded in providing all the local content and the batteries. We will see that later we will be able to compete with other countries too.

Journalists

What about electric public vehicles, sir? Will the Government provide more incentives?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We push all EV producers with the aim that all of them will manufacture their products in Indonesia. EV producers of all brands will manufacture their products in Indonesia because we have the advantages as the main producer of EV batteries.

Journalists

Sir, with regard to the quick count results, the results stated that for this moment, Mr. Prabowo and Mas Gibran (the presidential and vice presidential candidate pair) have scored a landslide victory of 60 percent. What’s your opinion, sir? Will this election only take one round?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The results of the quick count calculation are based on a scientific calculation method, but whatever the results will be, we have to wait for the official results released by the General Election Commission (KPU). So, be patient. There’s no need to rush.

Journalists

Have you met Mas Gibran, sir? Have you congratulated Mr. Prabowo and Mas Gibran, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, I have congratulated them.

Journalists

Via telephone, sir? Have you met them, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I have met them in person.

Journalists

When, sir? When did the meeting take place, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Last night.

Journalists

Did you meet both of them or just Mr. Prabowo?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

There were four people in the meeting.

Journalists

Who were in the meeting, sir? Who accompanied you in the meeting, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I don’t need to mention whom.

Journalists

But sir, on one hand, many people are highlighting the issues of fraud. For example, how can the results of the recapitulation of the ballots collected at the Polling Stations be different from what was actually there, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Firstly, with regard to the issues of fraud. The legislative candidates had their witnesses present at the Polling Stations, the political parties had their witnesses present at the Polling Stations, and the presidential and vice presidential candidates had their witnesses present at the Polling Stations. Also present at the Polling Stations were representatives from the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the authorities. They were open to be photographed. I think multi-layered supervision like this will eliminate fraud. But if fraud really occurs, there is the mechanism for bringing the case to Bawaslu, to the court, to the Constitutional Court (MK) to be processed. I think everything has been regulated. So, don’t keep claiming publicly that fraud already occurs many times. If you have the evidence of fraud, bring it directly to Bawaslu or to the Constitutional Court, ok?

Journalists

Sir, what about your meeting with Sri Sultan (Governor of Yogyakarta)? Rumor has it that you asked Sri Sultan to facilitate a meeting with Mrs. Mega (Indonesia’s former President).

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I think such a friendly meeting with all national figures is very good for this country.

Journalists

Sir, what about rice? Rice vanishes from shelves until now.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Later, I’ll show you whether rice is available or not. After this, I will invite you to see whether rice is available or not. You all have to join in, ok?

(TM/MMB)