16-5-2024 (JAKARTA) This Sunday (May 19), billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, is set to visit Indonesia to inaugurate the launch of Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service. The announcement was made by two cabinet ministers.
Luhut Pandjaitan, a key adviser to President Joko Widodo, confirmed that Musk will launch the service on the popular tourist island of Bali, accompanied by the Indonesian president.
Although Indonesian officials have previously announced Musk’s potential visits for events or investment discussions related to his automotive company Tesla, this will mark Musk’s first in-person visit to the country. He has previously participated via video link at a conference in Indonesia.
In addition to the Starlink launch, Musk is scheduled to speak at the World Water Forum in Bali, according to a statement from Luhut issued on Wednesday.
The Starlink launch event will take place at a clinic in Denpasar, Bali’s capital. Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi told Reuters on Thursday that Musk is expected to sign an agreement to enhance connectivity for the health sector during the event.
Attempts to confirm Musk’s visit with Starlink’s Indonesia representatives were unsuccessful, and the company did not respond to an email sent outside of US business hours.
Earlier this month, Starlink secured a permit to commercially offer its internet services to retail consumers in Indonesia, as confirmed by Budi last week. Starlink plans to collaborate with local network providers, with the aim of delivering internet services to Indonesia’s remote areas.
