Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, and Executive Director of Indonesian Political Parameters (PPI), Adi Prayitno.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The statement by Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, requesting the government to delay the planned car imports from India has sparked speculation of differences of opinion within the Gerindra Party.

However, this was immediately and strongly denied by the Executive Director of Parameter Politik Indonesia (PPI), Adi Prayitno. According to him, Sufmi Dasco’s statement to postpone the plan was not intended as opposition. Rather, it was Sufmi Dasco’s best effort to seek alternative options and solutions amidst public scrutiny.

Adi stated, that Sufmi Dasco is actually carrying out his strategic role as a communicator, bridging the interests of the executive and legislative branches.

Sufmi Dasco, he continued, is a figure who is acceptable to all groups. He is currently trying to find a compromise so that government policies can continue and public resistance can be reduced.

“Sufmi Dasco’s role has always been as a good bridge between the executive and legislative branches. He is a communicative figure and seeks solutions that are acceptable to many parties,” said Adi Prayitno, Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

“His stance also represents the DPR’s stance on developing political issues. It’s not a party’s stance or a direct directive from President Prabowo. It’s just a matter of course,” added the man, who also serves as a lecturer in Political Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at UIN Jakarta.

He also said, that the postponement statement is more accurately seen as Sufmi Dasco’s attempt to find the most appropriate formula so that the policy in question not only makes sense to the government but is also acceptable to the public.

“The solution sought is a meeting point. From the executive’s perspective, it’s considered reasonable, and from the public’s perspective, resistance can also be stopped. What is clear is that Sufmi Dasco is trying to find a formula and common ground that is acceptable to all groups,” he added.

As previously reported, the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that he had asked the government to postpone the plan to import 105.000 operational vehicles from India for the Red and White Cooperative program.

“So, regarding the plan to import 105.000 pickup trucks from India, i have conveyed a message to the government to postpone it. The President is still overseas,” explained Sufmi Dasco at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, February 23, 2026.

He said, that President Prabowo Subianto would discuss the details of the vehicle import plan after his working visit abroad.

The President would also first inquire about the readiness of domestic automotive companies to meet the operational vehicle needs of the Red and White Cooperative.

“When the President returns, he will discuss the details regarding the import. The President will also seek opinions and calculate the readiness of domestic companies,” Sufmi Dasco said.

“That’s why we have conveyed the message to postpone it,” he added.

In the Spotlight

The government’s plan to import vehicles from India has been in the spotlight recently. This policy emerged amid the dynamics of bilateral trade relations between Indonesia and India, particularly following a reciprocal agreement on import-export tariffs.

This import plan is also said to be related to Indonesia’s efforts to gain broader market access for leading commodities such as palm oil (CPO) and coal in India.

In return, Indonesia will provide easier access for Indian manufactured products to enter the domestic market.

PT Agrinas is currently preparing a plan to import 105.000 vehicles from India for the operational needs of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP).

The imports include 35.000 4×4 pickup trucks from Mahindra & Mahindra, as well as 35.000 4×4 pickup trucks and 35.000 six-wheeled trucks from Tata Motors. (Bembo)