Discussing Various National And Global Energy Aspects, Arcandra Tahar Publishes The 'Public Interest In Energy Sector' Book

Arcandra Tahar. (Photo: Doc. PGN)

JAKARTA - Arcandra Tahar, President Commissioner of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN) released his book entitled 'Public Interest in Energy Sector'. This book is a summary and refinement of Pak AT's writings (demikian Arcandra Tahar is usually called) which discuss various aspects of policy, technological innovation, electric vehicles and energy issues in Indonesia and the world written through his personal social media accounts, namely Instagram and Facebook @arcandra.tahar since six years ago.

The launch of Arcandra Tahar's book, which was held in Nusantara Ballroom, Darmawangsa Hotel, was also enlivened by energy discussions and book reviews that presented national energy figures, namely Purnomo Yusgiantoro (Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources 2000-2009), Ignasis Jonan (Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources 2016-2019) and Darmawan Prasodjo (President Director of PLN).

Present at this event were Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, a number of ministers in the Indonesia Working Cabinet for the 2014-2019 period, national figures, ESDM officials and SKK Migas, as well as journalists from various national media.

Arcandra said, various writings in this book are part of his experience when he received the mandate as Minister of Energy for Mineral Resources (ESDM) for the 2016 period and Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for the 2016-2019 period. Likewise, his knowledge when studying and working for more than 20 years in the world oil and gas industry, especially in the United States.

Thank you to the followers and readers who continue to encourage and provide input on our writings. Because of the many desires of the readers as well, we finally compiled the series of writings into a book. We hope that this book can be read more widely, especially to the younger generation so that they can understand various aspects regarding energy," he said, Wednesday, July 5.

The book 'Public Interest in Energy Sector' consists of 101 writings and is grouped into seven articles, namely the Management of the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector (Section I); Management of the Downstream Oil and Gas Sector (Section II); Technology Development and Human Resources in the Energy Sector (Section III); Business and Energy Commerce Administration (Section IV); How the World Management Energy (Section V); Battery, Electric Vehicle and Renewable Energy (Section VI); and Post-Covid-19 World Strategy (Section VII).

In his remarks in this book, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that as a country with a large population and a positive growing economy, Indonesia's energy needs will continue to increase. To realize energy resilience and independence, an increase in investment is needed in the oil and gas sectors.

For this reason, the government has carried out a simplification of licensing and provided legal certainty through the Job Creation Law.

The President also said that the Indonesian government needed the involvement, support and collaboration from various parties to answer various challenges of the new and low-carbon energy transition that were good; and evenly and ensure the welfare of the Indonesian people.

This book contains the experience, expertise, ideas and authentic ideas of Mr Arcandra Tahar as an expert in the energy sector. Not only describing various actions, good practices and policy initiatives that have been carried out, but also containing strategic steps that can be taken to answer future challenges. With these various initiatives and innovations, it is hoped that national energy resilience can be realized in a sustainable manner and reduce Indonesia's dependence on certain energy sources," said the President.

Ignasius Jonan, in writing introductory to this book, said; As a partner when leading the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources for the 2016-2019 period, where I received the mandate as minister and Mr. AT as deputy minister, jointly we are trying to make policies that encourage energy management and natural resources for the greatest prosperity of the people.

In addition to being the mandate of the 1945 Constitution article 33, this commitment is also a priority for President Joko Widodo's policies. That is why a series of policies in the energy sector are aimed at the interests of the people. An example is the One Price Fuel Policy throughout Indonesia.

During the 2016-2019 period, many of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources policies succeeded in proving the nation's ability to manage its natural resources. Such as the management of the Rokan Oil and Gas Block by Pertamina, the takeover of 51 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia's (PTFI) shares by PT MIND ID and the success of the B30 program which made national diesel needs no longer need to be imported.

Various aspects of the policy of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources were rewritten in a aftermath by Mr. AT in this book. Apart from of course, there are many other issues that deserve to be read and understood.

For example, how the government calculates domestic fuel price formulas, nickel issues and the national electric car industry as well as the latest issues regarding the energy crisis in Europe as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war and the recovery of the global economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Happy reading and understanding various interesting issues related to energy and natural resources written nicely and epicly by Mr. AT. Thank you," wrote Ignasius Jonan.