Ready To Gradually Open Coal Exports, Luhut: Reserves Are Safe For 25 Days

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said coal exports will soon be opened in stages. Luhut also ensured that coal reserves for the next 15 to 25 days are sufficient.

"The number of days has been gradual from reserves for 15 days, now it is sufficient for 25 days," said Luhut when met at his office, Monday, January 10.

Meanwhile, for exports abroad, Luhut said it would be opened on Wednesday and would be carried out in stages.

"We are verifying the ship tonight and maybe tomorrow it will be released," said Luhut.

Coordinating Minister Marves added that the government would also make major improvements related to export activities and coal supply for PLN.

"You have to buy directly from the company, you can no longer trade with traders. It was decided at the meeting earlier," he said.

Not only that, but PLN will also buy according to the market price so that it does not interfere with the market mechanism.

Previously, in early January, PT PLN experienced a coal crisis, 10 million PLN customers were threatened with power outages because 20 of PLN's 20 steam power plants (PLTU) did not have a coal supply.

As a result, the government imposed a temporary export ban through a letter from the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal (Ditjen Minerba) number B-1605/MB.05/DJB.B/2021 dated 31 December 2021. The ban was carried out on January 1 -31, 2022.