Jakarta. The chief executive of Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara, Rosan Roeslani, expressed optimism on Thursday over the ongoing merger process between two of Indonesia’s biggest technology companies — GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GoTo) and Grab Indonesia.

If completed, the merger would effectively consolidate the country’s ride-hailing industry under a single dominant operator.

“The signal is positive,” Rosan told reporters when asked about the progress of the merger following a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the presidential palace.

He declined to provide further details, urging the media to “follow the process” while discussions remain underway.

Earlier this month, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi underscored the importance of ride-hailing services to the Indonesian economy, noting that the sector generated massive employment opportunities and became an “economic hero” during periods of crisis when many people lost jobs. His remarks were widely interpreted as a sign of government interest in ensuring the success -- or at least the stability -- of a GoTo–Grab consolidation.

The government is also in the process of drafting a new law regulating online transport services, signaling regulatory reform alongside industry restructuring.

“We now realize that online motorcycle taxis have become economic heroes and drivers of our economy,” Prasetyo said on November 8.

Prasetyo further suggested that Danantara may be involved in the GoTo–Grab merger plan. Created earlier this year, Danantara manages state-owned enterprise assets and reinvests dividend income on behalf of the government.

Meanwhile, GoTo recently announced a leadership change, naming Chief Operating Officer Hans Patuwo to replace Patrick Walujo as chief executive — a move viewed by analysts as preparation for major corporate restructuring.

Neither GoTo nor Grab has publicly confirmed a merger timeline, but both companies have been under pressure to pursue profitability and reduce operating costs in Southeast Asia’s intensely competitive digital economy.

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