JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has spoken out regarding the planned development of the Ambalat Block. This issue arose due to Malaysia's stance on the dispute over the different naming conventions of the Ambalat Sea and the Sulawesi Sea, which has resurfaced maritime boundary disputes.
Bahlil stated that he is leaving territorial issues to authorities such as the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu). However, Bahlil did not deny that the idea of collaborating between Indonesia and Malaysia to manage this oil and gas field had previously emerged.
"Regarding territorial matters, that will be up to the Ministry of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to answer. However, there was indeed an idea that Ambalat, if it has natural resources, could be managed jointly. But that is still an idea," Bahlil told the media on Tuesday, August 11.
Bahlil emphasized that the management of the block, located near the extension of the land border between Sabah and East Kalimantan, is still being discussed between the two countries and no final decision has been made.
"Now, don't ask about the area at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. We're just talking, we haven't done any research yet," Bahlil emphasized.
Bahlil previously stated that during high-level discussions between the two leaders, Indonesia and Malaysia were developing a concept for managing the Ambalat Block.
"Ambalat is a region that, politically, each country claims, so to speak. Whether there are boundaries or not, I can honestly say that there is potential for oil and gas resources. One of the things we discussed was how we can manage this area together for the common good," Bahlil told the media after speaking at the Energy and Mineral Festival, as quoted on Thursday, July 31.
Because it is state-owned, Bahlil emphasized that the Ambalat Block will be managed by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from each country, namely Pertamina and Petronas.
"The oil and gas sector will be represented by Petronas from Malaysia and Pertamina from Indonesia," Bahlil added.
Meanwhile, PHE's Director of Strategic Planning, Portfolio, and Commercial Affairs, Edi Karyanto, stated that his company is ready if assigned by the government to manage the Ambalat Block with Petronas.
"We are also planning regional development in the Ambalat Block, which borders Malaysia. We are currently in advanced discussions with Malaysian officials," he said.
Edi added that his company is still awaiting direction from SKK Migas and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, specifically the Directorate General of Oil and Gas. However, he assured that PHE has the competence and experience in deepwater operations. Pertamina also has sufficient financial capital if it is later assigned to develop this once-disputed oil and gas block.
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