Indonesia's President Joko Widodo is known to be a fan of heavy metal music. In Nov. 2017, he was gifted a box set of Metallica's records by Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen.
But now he has the perfect opportunity to blast that music, while roaring down Indonesia's highways on his shiny new gold chopper.
On Jan. 21, Jokowi posted a photo of himself standing next to a gold motorbike on his official Facebook page, which you can see below.
Translated, the caption reads:"I finally have a motorcycle designed and created by the nation's citizens. A chopper-style motorcycle with its trademark low rider position, relaxed seat, and a little high handlebars.
The engine is from a Royald Enfield 350 cc, the rest is a workshop modification by Elders Garage and its partners. Bandung leather upholstery, sewn nice and neat. The frame is designed for the average size of Indonesians by Veroland and made in Jakarta.
I bought this gold-colored motorbike not just because I like it, but also to build the brand value of the work of the nation's citizens.
Once it was reported, my son called. He asked for this bike. Wow, I haven't even ridden the bike and already I've been asked to lend it!"
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Shrewd bargain
The company that Jokowi gave a shoutout to, Elders Garage, also shared the president's photo on their official Instagram page and posted a video of themselves presenting the bike to him.
They mentioned that Jokowi bargained the price of the bike down to RP140 million (S$13,886) from an initial RP150 million (S$14,878).
The other company Jokowi mentioned, Veroland, also had an Instagram post up to mark to occasion.
Both companies are Indonesian and based in Jakarta, the nation's capital. According to Elders Garage, Joko said (translated):
"I see the potential market not only in the country, but also can be exported abroad, such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Philippines."
Arguably, the media-savvy President has made a smart move to promote Indonesia's industry and raise its profile for the cost of just one gold chopper.
Too bad Singapore doesn't have a large-scale motorbike industry of our own, otherwise our leaders could order their own tricked-out bike and challenge Jokowi to a friendly drag race.
Top image from Elders Garage's Instagram.
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