By Jane Doe | JAKARTA – 2025/06/29 11:38:34

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia expressed surprise upon seeing Tomy Winata, the owner of Artha Graha Group, at the groundbreaking event for the Electric Battery Industry Ecosystem. The event,which marked the integration of Antam-IBC-CBL construction,took place in the Artha industrial Hills (AIH) area of Karawang Regency,West Java,on Sunday.

During his speech, President Prabowo paused when he noticed Tomy Winata in the audience.

He greeted Winata, stating that Winata’s face was very familiar and deserved a greeting.

“The inauguration of the groundbreaking ecosystem of the Electric Vehicle Industrial Ecosystem is integrated with Antam, IBC, and CBL.Brothers and sisters, I welcome very happy and very proud of this event,” Prabowo said.

“Indeed, I usually don’t want to exist … TW is here … Familiar face, so, I have to say hello too,”

President Prabowo then pointed to Tomy Winata, adding, “Indeed, I usually don’t want to exist … TW is here … Familiar face, so, I have to say hello too.”

Tomy Winata reportedly stood up briefly when President Prabowo acknowledged him.

Following this, President Prabowo resumed his speech, checking to see who else was present.

Initially, President Prabowo had not mentioned Tomy Winata’s name at the beginning of his address.

He had, however, acknowledged the presence of several ministers, private sector representatives, and regional leaders, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Public Housing Maruarar Sirait, and West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi.

President Prabowo mentioned that he doesn’t usually attend groundbreaking ceremonies but made an exception for this event.

The Electric Battery Industrial Ecosystem Project Integrated Antam-IBC CBL is described as an industrial development spanning from upstream to downstream processes.

It encompasses six integrated projects developed collaboratively between PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam), Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), and the Catl, Brunp, Lygend (CBL) consortium.

Five of these projects are located in the East Halmahera FHT area, while one is situated in Karawang.

The integrated electric vehicle battery industry ecosystem project is designated as a National Strategic Project (PSN) with an investment of $5.9 billion, covering an area of 3,023 hectares.

The project is expected to generate 8,000 direct jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and support the development of 18 multifunctional pier infrastructure projects.

President Prabowo emphasized that this project represents a significant step towards Indonesia’s energy self-sufficiency. He expressed optimism that Indonesia could achieve energy self-sufficiency within a maximum of six years.

“Our nation can truly be self-sufficiency in energy not long ago for a maximum of 6 years we can self-sufficient energy and one of the energy self-sufficiency paths is electricity from solar power and the key is battery and today the answer,” he stated during his speech.