Bahlil's joke about threatening to revise the Mining Law for the Mining Industry that does not want to use B50

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

KARAWANG - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia joked about reviewing the Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) of mining companies that do not want to use B50.

For information, B50 is a fuel produced by mixing 50 percent biodiesel into diesel fuel.

Bahlil said that initially, some mining sector entrepreneurs were even reluctant to use this fuel for their mining vehicles. Not without reason, they reasoned that this biofuel has a fairly high price.

"Our President conveyed that these efforts were initially these entrepreneurs, these users did not want to use (B50). Because the price is said to be expensive," said Bahlil at the launch of B50 at the Cikampek KM 57A toll rest area, Thursday, July 9.

He said that to overcome this problem, his party had approached it. He also joked that if he had the time, he would threaten to review the RKAB application for companies that did not use B50 in their mining vehicles.

"Now we have talked to certain entrepreneurs in mining. I have said that if you do not use the B50 RKAB, I will review it," he said.

However, he ensured that mining companies had used this biofuel in their mining activities.

"So that there are no excuses. So we have to use domestic products. Don't keep foreign. So they have committed, Mr. President," added Bahlil.

For information, President Prabowo Subianto has officially launched the Mandatory B50 Biodiesel program at the KM 57 Rest Area, Karawang Regency, West Java.

"Today, Kams 9 July 2026 with the grace of God Almighty, I Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, proudly inaugurate the mandatory biodiesel B50 program," said Prabowo, Thursday, July 9.

Prabowo said that the launch of B50 is not only a technological achievement but also a proof that Indonesia is able to utilize natural wealth for the benefit of the people.

"This is an important milestone towards energy independence," he explained.

The implementation of B50 is expected to provide significant economic and environmental impacts.

In 2025, the B40 program will save foreign exchange by Rp133.3 trillion, and through the B50 Mandate in 2026 it is estimated to increase to around Rp170 trillion.

In addition, B50 is expected to increase the value added of CPO from Rp20.92 trillion to around Rp23.49 trillion, absorb around 2.1 million workers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 44.46 million tons of CO₂ by 2026.