JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the General Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH. Zulfa Mustofa welcomed the launch of the mandatory Biodiesel B50 program by President Prabowo Subianto. According to him, this policy is a good step in encouraging the use of renewable energy while providing fuel at a more affordable price for the community.
"First, the biodiesel program is a good program, where renewable energy that makes the fuel needed by the community is then cheap, we support it," Zulfa told Voi, in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, Friday, July 10, 2026.
In addition, regarding the possible impact of the B50 biodiesel policy on mine management under PBNU, Zulfa admitted that he could not give an assessment. He emphasized that he was not involved in the management of PBNU's mining business.
"Regarding the management of mines under PBNU, I have no comment because I am not involved in PBNU mines," he said.
He also conveyed that until now the process of managing the PBNU mine is still in the licensing stage, so it is not yet certain whether it will operate or how the energy policy will affect its development.
"As far as I know, it is still in the licensing process. Will the mine then be able to operate? We'll see," he said.
However, Zulfa believes that the B50 biodiesel program will not reduce the need for other energy sources, including coal. According to him, Indonesia still needs various types of energy to meet national needs.
"All that energy is needed by the community. Both coal and biodiesel, I think it won't have an effect because Indonesia still needs all fuels," he concluded.
For information, President Prabowo Subianto previously officially launched the mandatory Biodiesel B50 program at the KM 57 Rest Area, Karawang, West Java, Thursday, July 9, 2026. This program requires the mixing of 50 percent of vegetable fuel (biodiesel) based on palm oil into all types of solar fuel.
The policy refers to the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Number 4 of 2025 concerning the Operation and Utilization of Vegetable Fuel and the Decision of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 257.K/EK.01/MEM.E/2026.
Prabowo said the implementation of B50 is part of the government's strategy to strengthen national energy independence, resilience, and sovereignty.
According to him, the program is expected to reduce Indonesia's dependence on crude oil and fuel oil (BBM) imports, as well as encourage the use of renewable energy based on domestic resources.
"We must be self-sufficient in energy, we must not import fuel," he said.
With this inauguration, continued Prabowo, Indonesia managed to become the first country to successfully launch B50.
"With the launch of this program, Indonesia officially became the first country to implement the B50 Biodiesel Mandate," he said.*
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