Portrait of Joko Widodo
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Joko Widodo on Elon Musk

Investment suitor (strong)

TL;DR

Joko Widodo actively courted Elon Musk, securing commitments for Starlink and discussing major electric vehicle investment in Indonesia.

Key Points

  • The President met with Elon Musk in May 2022 to discuss potential investment in electric vehicles and battery plants using Indonesian nickel.

  • During a 2024 visit, the President welcomed the launch of Starlink internet services in Indonesia, which was also discussed with Musk.

  • Joko Widodo pitched his country as a manufacturing base for both Tesla vehicles and SpaceX operations during their high-level meetings.

Summary

The Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, has maintained a consistently positive and proactive stance toward Elon Musk, focusing heavily on attracting investment from his companies. His core position centers on leveraging Indonesia's vast nickel reserves—a critical component for electric vehicle batteries—as a strategic incentive for Musk to establish manufacturing bases in the country. This approach materialized in meetings where the President formally pitched Indonesia as a hub for Tesla's electric vehicle and battery production, signaling a strong desire for technological and digital acceleration via partnerships.

This engagement evolved over several years, culminating in Musk's 2024 visit where the focus broadened beyond just electric vehicles to include the launch of Starlink services, emphasizing digital infrastructure development across the archipelago. The ongoing dialogue underscores the President's commitment to positioning Indonesia as a major player in the global green economy supply chain, using high-profile engagement with global tech leaders like Musk as a key component of his economic strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joko Widodo's position is overwhelmingly positive, viewing Elon Musk as a crucial potential investor for Indonesia's industrial and digital ambitions. The President has actively courted Musk to establish manufacturing, particularly for electric vehicles, in the country.

The President discussed several key areas with the business magnate, primarily focusing on proposals for Tesla to invest in electric vehicle and battery plants utilizing Indonesia's nickel resources. Additionally, they discussed the acceleration of digital infrastructure through Musk's companies.

The President's stance has not changed; rather, it has expanded over time. Initial talks focused on EV investment, while later discussions included the rollout of satellite internet services via Starlink.