By: Ricky Rinaldi
The Government of Indonesia, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, continues to demonstrate its progressive and strategic efforts to realize national energy self-sufficiency. Carrying the major mission of energy independence, President Prabowo visited Russia to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, while also opening the door for concrete collaboration in the oil and gas sector with Russia as a strategic partner. This visit was part of Indonesia’s energy diplomacy aimed at accelerating the transformation of the country’s energy resilience.
President Prabowo emphasized that energy and food self-sufficiency are two of the four top priorities of his administration’s agenda until 2029. He stated that no nation can truly be independent if it cannot meet its own food and energy needs. “When I lead Indonesia, my top priority is achieving food and energy self-sufficiency,” he asserted. This reflects the government’s determination to break free from the dependence on imports, which has long burdened the national fiscal system.
A concrete step was taken through bilateral cooperation with Russia, particularly in the exploration and production of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as securing oil supplies. During the bilateral meeting, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia directly invited the Russian government to participate in developing new oil and gas fields, including recently discovered potential offshore gas reserves in Indonesia. The government believes this cooperation will benefit both nations and support Indonesia’s ambitious target of achieving energy self-sufficiency.
Minister Bahlil explained that Russia, as one of the leading countries in oil and gas exploration technology, offers to modernize Indonesia’s energy infrastructure. This technology will be used to optimize old oil wells that have long been underproductive. The Indonesian government welcomed this initiative as it aligns with the national strategy to increase oil and gas output without opening vast new areas of land. This modernization will also positively impact production efficiency, environmental protection, and work safety standards.
In addition, the government’s support for increasing national oil and gas lifting is reflected in progressive regulations. The government has issued Ministerial Regulation No. 14 of 2025, which enables the legal management of community-based oil and gas wells. This regulation opens opportunities for cooperatives, regional government-owned enterprises (BUMD), and local actors to participate in managing oil and gas working areas in a professional and accountable manner.
This represents a major breakthrough in the governance of natural resources. The government is committed to eradicating illegal drilling activities that harm the state and environment while empowering local communities to be part of the national production system. Through this inclusive approach, the government aims to ensure that the benefits of the energy sector are more equitably distributed to all layers of society, not just a handful of major industrial players.
The energy cooperation with Russia is part of President Prabowo’s broader strategy to make Indonesia economically self-reliant. His visionary view that the state must protect its people from hunger, poverty, and energy scarcity is embodied in concrete, pro-people policies. Self-sufficiency is not just a slogan—it is a long-term commitment backed by real action.
Furthermore, Indonesia–Russia cooperation reflects a foreign policy principle that is independent and sovereign. Indonesia does not align itself with any particular geopolitical bloc but instead builds international relationships based on national interest. In this context, energy cooperation serves as a crucial instrument to strengthen domestic resilience while also positioning Indonesia strategically in the global order.
President Prabowo also conveyed that the target of food self-sufficiency, initially set to be achieved in four years, now has the potential to be realized within just one year. Indonesia has even begun exporting rice to Malaysia, marking an early success of the country’s development strategy. This progress in the food sector serves as inspiration to overcome challenges in the energy sector.
The government fully understands that energy security is the foundation for industrial growth and educational development. Therefore, success in the energy sector will directly contribute to job creation, improved national competitiveness, and sustainable infrastructure development. By partnering with strategic countries like Russia, Indonesia is taking smart and swift steps toward progress.
The government’s consistency in placing the people at the center of its policy is evident in every energy initiative undertaken. From the governance of people’s oil wells, the adoption of environmentally friendly technology, to the active involvement of regional and local actors—all efforts point to a participatory and equitable development model. The government is no longer a passive regulator, but an active initiator in accelerating national investment and productivity.
Through these strategic steps, public optimism toward President Prabowo’s administration continues to grow. Firm leadership, a results-oriented focus, and the courage to make strategic decisions have transformed the energy self-sufficiency agenda from a dream into a tangible goal being pursued seriously and systematically.
Indonesia is now on the right track toward energy independence. With strong international partnerships, pro-people regulations, and visionary national leadership, the grand aspiration to make energy a pillar of national strength is no longer just a plan—but a shared reality in the making.
*)Strategic Issues Analyst
