REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGERANG SELATAN -- Muhammadiyah-'Aisyiyah University Rector Forum (PTMA) invited Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia to a national dialogue at Sapphire Sky Hotel, BSD, South Tangerang, Wednesday (2/10/2024) to Thursday (3/10/2024). In the event, the former head of the Capital Investment Coordination Agency (BKPM) presented material related to “Sustainable and Equitable National Energy Management Strategy.”

Bahlil likened the energy management strategy in RI to a football game, in which players not only attack, but also survive the onslaught of opponents. According to him, there are three strategic steps in question, namely optimization of production with technology, reactivation of idle wells, and exploration of potential oil and gas (migas) especially in eastern Indonesia.

Bahlil considers that the difference between petroleum production and consumption in Indonesia is quite large. In 2023, lifting in RI is 600 thousand barrels per day. Meanwhile, fuel consumption reached 1,000,600 barrels per day. So, Indonesia must import 1 million barrels per day.

“Indonesia has 16,000 more (petroleum) wells. If you want not to import but revenue to rise, then you have to increase lifting,” Bahlil said at Sapphire Sky Hotel, BSD, South Tangerang, Wednesday (2/10/2024).

Regarding electric gas, he continued, the consumption of this commodity in Indonesia reaches 7 million to 8 million tons per year. In fact, RI is said to be able to import up to 6 million tons of electric gas per year.

“Every year, foreign exchange for imports is Rp 450 trillion to Rp 500 trillion. That is one of the reasons why the exchange rate of the rupiah against the dollar (United States) has weakened,” he said.

Not only oil and gas, Bahlil also mentioned the potential of other mineral resources that need improvement. Among these are nickel, tin, and cobalt. According to him, the way to increase Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) is downstream.

“Not only in the coal minerals sector, but also in all 26 sectors, including forestry, agriculture and marine. This is the door for Indonesia to exit middle-income,” he said.

The PTMA Rector Forum invited not only Minister Bahlil, but also Minister of Commerce (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan. This nationality dialogue on the first day was held at the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta Scholars Building (UMJ).

On this occasion, Zulkifli delivered the theme “Loving and Empowering Domestic Products: Balancing Domestic Products with Import Policies.”

General Chairman of PTMA Rector Forum Prof. Gunawan Budiyanto said that this dialogue event “Contribute to the thoughts of PTMA Rectors” is a series of activities of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas). The aim is to provide constructive input for the upcoming administration of president-elect Prabowo Subianto.

The PTMA Rectors seemed enthusiastic to listen to the presentation from the presenters. Many of them ask questions and give advice on education to the economy. They hope that the advice and input can be conveyed to Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto.

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