The Minimum Budget Even Though The Largest PNBP Contributor, Bahlil: We Are Not Chickens But Fighters

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia together with Commission VII DPR RI agreed on a budget of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in 2025 of IDR 3.9 trillion.

However, Bahlil asked for the budget for the construction of the Cirebon-Semarang 2 and Dumai-Sei Mangkei transmission pipelines to be taken from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) budget. This is because the ESDM budget of IDR 3.9 trillion is not sufficient to build a pipeline budgeted at IDR 4.2 trillion.

"We are not chickens. We are all fighters here. It's okay even if we don't give good supplements, we will still be healthy to build the nation and state," Bahlil said, in a Working Meeting with Commission VII DPR RI, Thursday, September 12.

According to him, the amount of the budget for the pipeline project was taken from PNBP. For information, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources contributes non-tax state revenue (PNBP) worth around IDR 300.3 trillion.

"We give our PNBP almost Rp. 300 trillion, none of these netizens. Even if the eggs are taken, they won't be fed, sir!" Bahlil continued.

He also detailed that the operational budget of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Rp3.91 trillion will be allocated to the Secretariat General of Rp336.12 billion, the Inspectorate General of Rp95.35 billion, the Directorate General of Oil and Gas of Rp566.68 billion.

"Imagine that our leadership wants to increase oil lifting, but the director-general is only given a budget of Rp. 500 billion. Padhal is targeting the state to be used from upstream oil and gas of around 15 to 16 billion dollars. Where is this theory from?" continued Bahlil.

Meanwhile, the budget of the Directorate General of Electricity is IDR 457.93 billion, the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal of IDR 369.65 billion. In fact, he said, the mineral and coal sector managed to produce Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) worth IDR 173 trillion.

"I repeat that the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal has succeeded in providing PNBP 2023 of IDR 173 trillion and this year 2024 will also target the same minimum and even more. And 2025 acceleration for improvement, but the model of facilities and state support budget that I think (such as this) is troublesome. So be careful if you are not able to take care of my team, the private sector takes care of them. Unfortunately, this collective awareness must be an important note, it doesn't blame anyone," said Bahlil.

Then the national Energy Council (DEN) budget is IDR 63.78 billion. Furthermore, BPSDM amounted to IDR 617.90 billion and the Geological Agency IDR 488.96 billion.

"This is what issued the mineral reserve data, fortunately I will become Minister, if I am an entrepreneur, I already know how this is even though the KDI is from him, the budget is like this. Don't look at the budget, look at the red and white," he continued.

Meanwhile, the BPH Migas budget worth IDR 254.2 billion and the Directorate General of EBTKE worth IDR 566.98 billion and BPMS IDR 92.2 billion.