The funding, however, depends on the readiness of state-owned defense firm PT Pindad to begin mass production. Previous budget allocations were returned after the company failed to meet production capacity.
“This year, the budget is prepared, but the production capacity isn’t ready, so the funds were returned,” Sadewa told reporters.
“We support the project. Once Pindad is ready, we’ll release the funds,” he said.
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He added that the finance ministry would not interfere in the company's industrial operations, stating, “My job is to prepare the money, not manage the industry.”
President Prabowo Subianto backed the initiative during a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace on Monday, calling for all ministers to switch to the locally produced Maung as their official vehicle.
“All of you will soon be required to use Maung vehicles. Save your luxury cars for off-duty hours,” Prabowo said.
He described the Maung, built by Pindad, as a symbol of national pride, comparing it to Indonesia’s version of the Jeep. The vehicle is already in use by military units.
“Our officers no longer rely on foreign jeeps. They lead troops in Indonesian-made vehicles, and that builds pride,” Prabowo said.
He added that the government aims to expand the use of the Maung beyond military and government fleets and promote wider adoption of domestic vehicles.
To support this, Prabowo said the government has allocated land and funding for a new factory to produce Maung vehicles and other Indonesian-made cars. The facility is being prepared by a designated development team and is expected to be operational within three years.
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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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