Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The government has reaffirmed its commitment to managing Indonesia’s natural resources in a transparent, accountable, and equitable manner. This commitment was emphasized by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia during the opening of the Mineral & Coal Convention-Expo (Minerba Convex) 2025 in Jakarta on Wednesday (October 15).
Bahlil stressed that natural resources are a strategic national asset that must be managed for the people’s prosperity, as mandated by Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.
“Our abundant natural wealth must be managed in the best possible way for the benefit of the people, the nation, and the state,” Bahlil said.
He also stated that President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of sustainable and environmentally conscious mining management.
“We must not exploit all these resources at once. Their management must take into account future generations, environmental protection, and applicable regulations,” he added.
Bahlil highlighted the role of downstream industrialization (hilirisasi) in promoting equitable economic growth across regions. Currently, the government is overseeing 18–20 downstream projects with a total investment value of USD 38 billion (around IDR 618 trillion). These projects are expected to create 300,000 direct jobs and more than one million indirect jobs.
“Our economy must not only grow in Jakarta. Growth must be spread across the regions, and downstream industrialization is the key. Without it, it will be difficult to accelerate national development,” he emphasized.
As a concrete step, through Law No. 2 of 2025, which amends Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, the government provides priority access to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and local government-owned enterprises (BUMD) in obtaining mining business permits (IUPs). This policy is expected to strengthen regional economies and involve local communities in the management of natural resources. (*)
