A big controversy
arises when the government launches a policy supporting the mass production of low
cost green car (LCGC). Such cheap cars are classified as the ones which consume
one liter for 28 kilometer-distance, 60 percent local contents and the selling
price below Rp 75 million (the US $6,800).
Just a couple of days after launching, almost 18,000 cheap cars have been sold out where
most of the buyers are those who live in Jakarta and nearby cities. Low and middle-class people are eager to buy such cars as they cannot afford to buy a normal car
which price beyond their purchasing power and buy motorcycles instead.
Now
having such a low price car available, some of them may convert from riding
motorcycles to cheap cars. The haves may also buy the car as a second [or
higher] vehicle especially for their kids.
The
number of cars in Indonesia compared to its population is among the lowest in
the world. The availability of the LCGC will certainly increase the car
population in Indonesia. Huge investment up to US$ 3.5 billion is required and it
might absorb thousands of workers to fabricate the cars.
Definitely
the LCGC mass productions will give a positive impact on the country economy as
they improve the quality of the private transportation mode in term of fuel
saving, transportation efficiency as compared to bigger and expensive cars,
the condition of transportation mode especially for those using motorcycles and,
last but not least, the environment.
Isn’t
that the people car (“mobil rakyat”) that the country is longing for? The car
which is not exclusively for the haves but also for middle and lower class? Of
course, to become a national people car, it is hoped that at the latest stage
the local content would be close to 100
percent.
At
everybody’s surprise, the launching of such LCGC has got various negative reactions. Most of the reasons that
the opponents put forward are related to the traffic density. They are afraid
that the traffic will be stagnant as the infrastructure would not be able to
afford the additional amount of vehicles caused by the LCGC.
Under
such a mindset, Jokowi, the popular Jakarta Governor, sent a letter to Vice
President calling for the postponement for the sales of LCGC in Jakarta. Even
some other prominent public figures have asked for the reduction of such people
car mass productions.
Certainly
Jakarta is not Indonesia. In many other cities in the country, one may count
the vehicles that run on the road. After twilight, the roads in many small cities
are almost deserted. Out of around 60 million families in Indonesia only 10
percent possess passenger cars which means that in our country one car is for 40
people, much lower than the ratio in developed countries which is around 1 : 3.
How
come that we should be against the relatively poor people for having a little comfort
by possessing LCGC replacing their motorcycles in favor of the relatively rich
people enjoying their “luxury” cars? Shouldn't we have an opposite standpoint
by encouraging people to have LCGC and imposing the luxury car (more than 3000
cc) usage limitation, by for example allowing them to circulate only beyond the
office time?
The
postponement of the cheap car mass productions will be a blunder as it will
cause Indonesia suffer a big loss, as by 2015 any ASEAN countries under AFTA can
easily export their cheap cars into their neighboring countries. They have kept
eyes to take any opportunities to market their cheap cars here and certainly will
establish their sole agents in our country selling their home-made cheap car.
Fortunately,
the Minister of Industry holds firm his standpoint and pointing out that the
LCGCs are not merely on sales in Greater Jakarta but will be distributed in 500
other cities. Quo vadis the LCGC mass productions? Will it give beneficial for
the country or curse?
Folks,
it is now you to make up your mind.
Hoping that you have the right opinion.
