TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that he will meet Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, on August 2, 2023. Luhut will ask concerning Tesla's plan to invest in Indonesia. "We will finalize it," said Luhut when met at Danareksa Tower, on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Luhut will ask for certainty of the investment after the rumor of Tesla's interest to invest in Malaysia. On the other hand, Luhut is certain that the US-based automotive company has not invested in Malaysia yet. "Tesla has not invested there (Malaysia) yet," said Luhut.

Concerning the investment, Elon Musk claimed last year that he was interested in investing in Indonesia's nickel industry after his meeting with Luhut. "I'm relieved that Elon Musk said that the reason for his interest in cooperating with us was because of my presentation regarding the potential of Indonesia's nickel industry which changed his perspective," said Luhut in his Instagram, @luhut.pandjaitan on Tuesday, April 26, 2023.

Luhut said that Elon Musk believed Indonesia's nickel industry was promising to supply the fuel for electric cars. However, currently, there is still no clarity concerning the investment. Further, Elon Musk is reported to invest in Malaysia.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, stated that Elon's investment in Malaysia will create tens of thousands of high-value jobs. "The agreement with Elon Musk is a good development," said Anwar, referring to his virtual meeting with the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Chief Minister of Selangor, Amirudin Shari said that the locations in Petaling Regency and Sepang are ready for a Tesla factory. Amirudin said that the investment of Tesla in Malaysia reflected the trust of foreign investors in Selangor. He hoped that it will encourage other international battery technology companies to invest in the state.

"This will boost the youths' interest in the high technology industry, especially in the clean energy sector," said Amirudin in a statement.

RIRI RAHAYU

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