Joining BRICS, Will RI Buy Oil From Russia?

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia. (Photo: Maria/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia opens the possibility of Indonesia importing oil from Russia after joining the economic forums of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS).

By adhering to the principle of active free politics, Indonesia can open cooperation with any country as long as it does not violate the rules. For this reason, Bahlil said it was legal if Indonesia later bought oil from Russia.

"When we build with BRICS, and then there is an opportunity for us to get oil from Russia, as long as it's in accordance with the rules, and there's no problem, why not?" Bahlil said as quoted on Saturday, January 11.

Moreover, he said, so far Indonesia is still importing oil from Middle Eastern countries so that it is possible to buy oil from Russia.

"To be honest, so far we have imported oil from the Middle East. Maybe, maybe the origin may come from there [Russia] but it's not certain," said Bahlil.

He added, not only with BRICS, Indonesia can also take the opportunity to cooperate with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as long as it brings benefits to Indonesia.

"All opportunities that benefit Indonesia, both join BRICS and with OECD, I don't think there is a problem," Bahlil added.

Previously, the Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also said that the joining of Indonesia as a member of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) alliance would expand market access, one of which was to get cheaper supplies of gas and crude oil.

"What are our advantages with BRICS, yes our market is bigger. Because this is a problem, if we are not careful with the problems that exist in China now, and also the problems in Europe where gas now comes from Russia at their stop, there will be an energy crisis problem in Europe," he said at a press conference, Thursday, January 9.

Luhut gave an example that Indonesia can get and access oil prices that are cheaper than Russia for joining as members of BRICS.

"(Buy oil to Russia) if we benefit this republic we buy. If there is a month, we buy it. As long as it benefits the Republic of Indonesia, we can discuss it with several other countries. If we can get cheaper 20 US dollars or 22 US dollars per barrel, why not? " he said.