Ministers to use Maung SUV as official cars: State Secretary

State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi presenting his remarks after participating in the Red and White Cabinet retreat at the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, on Sunday (October 27, 2024). ANTARA/Andi Firdaus/nbl.

Jakarta (ANTARA) -

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that members of the Red and White Cabinet will be required to use Maung SUV made by state-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad as official vehicles.

"Absolutely. The spirit is that we should use the car made by us," Hadi stated regarding the use of domestic-made official vehicles as instructed by President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex here on Tuesday.

However, the decision regarding the levels of officials required to use the Maung SUV will be subject to PT Pindad's production capability.

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"Let us pray that Pindad can produce good-quality (cars) very soon," he added.

He confirmed that the government will purchase the SUV from PT Pindad, making it government property, instead of renting it from the company.

Hadi stated that the government will also decide the fate of the current official vehicles while phasing in the domestic-made official vehicles.

President Director of PT Pindad Abraham Mose expressed readiness to produce the SUV for official use, as instructed by Prabowo.

"We must be capable as the facilities and supporting infrastructure will definitely be prepared. In principle, Pindad has started (producing), and the products are there, ready for use," he remarked while referring to MV3 Garuda Limousine, used by Prabowo after his swearing-in ceremony on October 20, 2024.

However, he did not furnish details on the number of cars to be prepared for Prabowo's ministers and officials.

Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Anggito Abimanyu stated that President Prabowo has instructed all ministers and echelon 1 officials to use the Maung SUV.

"Next week, I will use the Maung car, the Pindad-made car," he stated during an event to mark the 15th anniversary of Gadjah Mada University's Vocational School in Yogyakarta on Monday (October 28).

He highlighted President Prabowo's keenness to end the use of imported cars as government vehicles during his term.