BOGOR - The government continues to accelerate the steps of downstream processing and strengthening national energy resilience. This was conveyed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia after attending a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto and a number of ministers at the President's private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
In his statement, Bahlil explained that the development of the downstream program was one of the government's priorities. Of the first 20 downstream projects, some have entered the groundbreaking phase, while the rest are scheduled to start next month.
"Then we add another 13 items of downstream processing, with a total investment of approximately 239 trillion (rupiah) and we will discuss the finalization," said Bahlil.
In addition to downstream processing, Bahlil also conveyed the development of alternative energy as part of efforts towards energy independence and self-sufficiency. According to Bahlil, President Prabowo directed that all domestic energy potential be optimized, including ethanol and biodiesel based on crude palm oil (CPO), as well as accelerating the transition to new and renewable energy.
"The President ordered us to optimize all the energy potential we have, whether it's ethanol, whether it's biodiesel from CPO-CPO, including how we can encourage energy transition through renewable energy, we can also do it," added Bahlil.
On this occasion, Bahlil also reported on the current conditions of energy and mineral commodity prices, especially coal and nickel. Bahlil emphasized that until now there has been no change in policy regarding the management of these two commodities, while the government continues to monitor the dynamics of the global market.
"Even if the price continues to be stable, it's good, we will how to relax but measure it against production planning. So everything is still within the limits of coordination with the market, then the needs of supply and demand. The important thing is that we want the price to continue to be good, we pray for good coal prices, good nickel prices, then how will we do a measured relaxation," said Bahlil.
Furthermore, Bahlil explained that President Prabowo also gave special instructions that the management of natural resources should prioritize the interests of the country. The Head of State emphasized the importance of maintaining natural resources as a strategic national asset while encouraging the optimization of state revenues from the mineral sector.
"The President ordered me to pay attention to the interests of the country, the priority above all else, and we take care of our natural resources, our natural resources are state assets and therefore even the President ordered to find sources of income in the mineral sector which has not been fair to the country," explained Bahlil.
The government's target in the future is to ensure that downstream processing runs optimally, energy transition continues to move forward, and the production of energy commodities remains balanced with market needs. The government is also trying to keep commodity prices competitive without sacrificing national interests.
With an integrated policy direction ranging from industrial downstream, strengthening domestic energy, to sovereign natural resource management, the government targets the creation of a more robust, independent, and globally competitive national economic structure.
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