Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for 11 Nickel Downstreaming Ecosystem Projects and the Inaugural Export of Electric Vehicle Batteries, at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park, Central Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, Thursday, October 8, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue,

Rahayu rahayu.

Distinguished Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry Mr. Rosan Perkasa Roeslani who is serving as today’s event organizer, along with the entire leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry;

Distinguished Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Chairperson of the National Economic Council, Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Heads of Agencies, and all members of the Red-and-White Cabinet present here, including Coordinating Minister for the Economic Affairs Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Mr. Bahlil Lahadalia who concurrently serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Mr. Sugiono, our new Coordinating Minister, just a few days in office, if I am not mistaken. How many days? A week? Have you adjusted yourself [to your new position]? Is your new office nice? Or would you like to return to being Minister of Foreign Affairs?

Distinguished Chairperson of the National Economic Council Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) General (Ret.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, my former commander. As time passes, I am now your commander.

Distinguished Minister of State Secretary Mr. Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Housing and Settlement Mr. Maruarar Sirait, Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Suyudi Ario Seto, Head of the National Nutrition Agency Mr. Sudaryono. You have a doctoral degree, don’t you? You should use your degree. Cabinet Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry Teddy Indra Wijaya;

Distinguished Governor of North Maluku Mrs. Sherly Tjoanda [Why are you applauding her the most loudly? The election is still a long way off], along with the distinguished members of the North Maluku Provincial Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) in attendance;

Distinguished Deputy Chairperson of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) Mr. Budi Djiwandono, Regent of Central Halmahera Mr. Ikram Sangadji, Regent of East Halmahera Mr. Ubaid Yakub, Chairperson of Tsingshan Industry Mr. Xiang Guangda, thank you, Chairperson of Huayou Group Mr. Chen Xuehua;

Distinguished Heads of State-Owned and Private Enterprises in attendance. I see Mr. James Riady here. Is the President Director of Pertamina here? Ah, yes. Mr. Andi Syamsudin Arsyad, are you here? The President Director of PLN, is he present here?

And, Ladies and Gentlemen whose names I could not mentioned individually without diminishing my respect for anyone.

As people of faith, undoubtedly, let us never cease to offer our gratitude to Almighty God, for all the blessings, health, and peace that He has bestowed upon us, allowing us to gather here in Central Halmahera regency, on this very beautiful and very historic island, to jointly witness the industrial progress of our nation. Today, we are launching the inaugural export of electric vehicle batteries. Furthermore, we will also proceed to launch 11 downstreaming projects, comprising the commercial launch of four industrial projects and the commencement of construction for seven new industrial projects in the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We realize that Almighty God has blessed us with immensely valuable and abundant natural resources. However, we must manage these natural resources effectively, so they can bring benefits, welfare, and prosperity to our people and nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As President of the Republic of Indonesia, I extend my congratulations to all parties, elements, both domestic and international, together with our partners who have trusted us to collaborate in building mutual prosperity and achieving shared welfare.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

What we have achieved in recent years is truly something we can be proud of. Therefore, I hereby reaffirm the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to respect and safeguard all investments from any source made within Indonesia. We are committed to maintaining our partnerships to the best of our ability. It is a matter of honor for the Indonesian nation to keep our partners’ trust. We regard our partners as our brothers and sisters. Ladies and Gentlemen, those who put their trust in Indonesia, those who are brave enough to collaborate in new areas with Indonesia, we consider them our brothers and sisters. It is an Indonesian tradition and custom. I believe that in every tribe here in Indonesia, those who come to us, work with us, and help us are embraced as our relatives, and we protect them as we protect our own families.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Minister of Investment [and Downstream Industry] has reported that realized investment in the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) has exceeded about US$20 billion, with a planned investment expansion worth US$7 billion in the near future. Since its development, this zone has reportedly provided employment to more than 100,000 workers. There are many people who claim and predict every month that Indonesia’s future is dark and our country would collapse, but here today, I am optimistic that Indonesia’s future is bright.

Earlier, I was greeted by the employees filled with enthusiasm and bright expressions. I did not see a single gloomy face today, Ladies and Gentlemen. I feel that whenever I visit Eastern Indonesia, I become more spirited and enthusiastic. Is it perhaps because a half of me is also Eastern Indonesian? To the board of directors of IWIP and the companies in this zone, because you have worked here for a long time and most of your employees are from Eastern Indonesia, you certainly understand that their meal portions must be larger than those of others. Eastern Indonesians eat quite a lot, right? We must know that in the military, soldiers from Eastern Indonesia will eat up their 10-day rations in just 9 days. So, we have to provide more rations for them. But Eastern Indonesians work hard. I should remind our Eastern Indonesian brothers and sisters to be careful every day, as they are very reactive. Eastern Indonesians are fiercely loyal; once you win their hearts, they are loyal to the end. Right? As someone who is half Eastern Indonesian, I know this to be true.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I should not make my speech too long, right? Do not give Prabowo Subianto a podium. Seriously, I could give you a three-hour speech. But do you want to sit here for three hours to listen to my speech? No way. I know you all well. You are probably thinking, “When is the food going to be served?”

Once again, I welcome this endeavor. I also commend the leadership, management, and sense of responsibility shown by the companies operating in this area. I observe that your engagement with the local community is excellent, and this should be supported and continued, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am also confident that you will safeguard the environment, ensure safety, and maintain the quality of our water and air. Please ensure proper waste management.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let’s welcome our future with a strong sense of responsibility toward our children and grandchildren. Today’s inaugural export of electric vehicle batteries marks a significant milestone. It serves as tangible evidence that our downstreaming strategy is sound, and we will continue it earnestly.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

What we witness today is inseparable from what we did yesterday. As I often say, today’s success, which leads to tomorrow’s accomplishments, begins with what we did yesterday. Ladies and Gentlemen, we honor our previous governments and all leaders who came before me, who have had the courage to initiate such development measures.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Nation building is not a short-term endeavor. It is a struggle and takes a long journey. It is a long march, and this is part of that long march. We draw strength and spirit from the past, mobilizing today’s enthusiasm and energy so that we move forward with greater vigor and determination toward the future.

Thank you. Thank you to all of you who have worked tirelessly to bring our aspirations closer to reality. Yet, I would like to remind you of the proverb taught by our predecessors: The closer we get to our goals, the tougher the challenges become. But we are accustomed to facing challenges. We are brave enough to face them.

Once again, to our partners, friends, and brothers and sisters, thank you for your partnership and trust. May our partnership and friendship bring our two nations closer together, strengthen our bonds, and yield mutual benefits for our peoples.

Thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om santi santi santi om,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue,

Rahayu rahayu.

That is all I need to say.

Finally, by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, today, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby officially launch the inaugural export of electric vehicle batteries and four industrial projects entering the commercial stage, namely Blue Sparking Energy, REPT Battero Indonesia, Pioneer Aluminum Industries, XCMG Indonesia Manufacturing, as well as the groundbreaking of seven industrial projects in the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park, namely Guang Ching Nickel Cobalt, Inno Prima Material, Tinci Materials Indonesia, Weda Bay Aluminum, Bintang Karya Aluminum, Flat Solar Energy Indonesia, and Foton Guangqing Motor Indonesia.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. 

(NST/TM)