PAN asks the government to be fully alert to face the impact of the Timteng conflict: National Energy is Safe, People Must be Protected

Chairman of the PAN Faction of the DPR, Putri Zulkifli Hasan/PHOTO: Nailin In Saroh/VOI

JAKARTA - The Chairman of the PAN Faction of the DPR and Deputy Chairman of Commission XII of the DPR, Putri Zulkifli Hasan, asked the government to make full efforts against the impact of the Middle East conflict (Timteng), especially related to oil prices and supplies after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran. He emphasized that national energy must be safe and people's needs must be protected.

"Yes, we are both witnessing the tension between America and Iran, one of the impacts is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the vital routes, 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz. So of course if there is a closure in the Strait of Hormuz, it will affect the world's oil supply, which will have an impact on the global oil price. If I look at the oil price news, there have been some increases, so we have to anticipate this together," said Putri at the PAN DPP office, Jakarta, Tuesday, March 3.

Putri assessed that the government had moved quickly and quickly in anticipating the impact of the escalation of the Iran-United States and Israel conflicts, including the potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital route for world oil trade. According to him, the government's steps to ensure that national energy reserves remain safe are a positive signal for national economic stability.

"I also followed the news yesterday that the government had also made anticipations. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources will also immediately hold a meeting with the National Energy Council to discuss this problem, especially now that we will soon enter the Eid, so that there is usually an increase in fuel and so on. This must be anticipated together," he said.

Putri conveyed the statement of Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto regarding the safe fuel supply condition which showed that the government had a mature mitigation scenario.

Indonesia also has diversified sources of energy imports and strategic cooperation, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pertamina and energy companies from the United States such as Chevron and ExxonMobil, so that alternative supply routes remain open in the event of global distribution disruptions.

However, Putri emphasized that the main challenge was not only on the availability of supplies, but on the potential for a spike in world oil prices, which has now reached around USD 80 per barrel. This price increase risks increasing pressure on the state budget, especially on the energy subsidy and compensation posts, and has the potential to affect people's purchasing power if it is not managed carefully.

"The PAN faction fully supports the proactive steps taken by the government in maintaining national energy and fiscal stability," he said.

He emphasized the importance of balancing between maintaining the health of the state budget and protecting the public, especially vulnerable groups. According to him, every policy taken must be based on the principle of prudence, data accuracy, and bias towards the little people.

Putri also ensured that the DPR's oversight function would run constructively and collaboratively. Commission XII will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Pertamina to ensure that national fuel stocks are in a safe condition, supply chains are under control, and procurement strategies are effective in dealing with global dynamics.

He assessed that this situation is an important momentum to accelerate the strengthening of national energy resilience through increased lifting of oil and gas, optimization of domestic resources, and acceleration of the transition to renewable energy. Dependence on global geopolitical turmoil must be gradually reduced through more independent and sustainable energy policies.

"The government has shown its readiness. Our common task is to ensure that stability is maintained and the people are not burdened. PAN stands together with the government to keep national energy safe while ensuring protection of people's purchasing power," concluded Putri.