Jakarta – Member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Rivqy Abdul Halim, fully supports President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to designate Papua as one of the priority areas for national sustainable energy development.
This policy is considered a strategic step to strengthen national energy security while addressing the challenge of unequal access to electricity that the Papuan people continue to face.
“Many areas in Papua still lack access to adequate electricity, even though this region possesses extraordinary natural resources. This is an irony that must not be allowed to continue,” said Rivqy, Monday (February 9).
Rivqy emphasized that sustainable energy development must go hand in hand with efforts to ensure equitable electricity distribution throughout Indonesia. He stated that the energy transition should not be concentrated in certain regions, but must also reach the outermost, frontier, and disadvantaged areas, including Papua.
“Sustainable energy development is not only about energy transition, but also about equity. New and renewable energy is the best way to ensure equitable electricity distribution, from major cities to the outermost regions,” he continued.
In line with this view, President Prabowo Subianto also emphasized that Papua is a key pillar in the national energy independence and security strategy.
President Prabowo stated that Papua has excellent energy resources, both in the renewable energy sector and oil and gas, which must be managed optimally for the prosperity of the people.
“I think Papua has excellent energy resources, and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources has also planned that Papuan regions should enjoy the benefits of energy produced in Papua,” said President Prabowo.
The President emphasized that energy development in Papua is not only oriented towards increasing production, but also towards equitable distribution of benefits to local communities.
The government is encouraging the use of renewable energy such as solar and hydropower as sustainable solutions, especially for remote areas that currently rely on expensive fuel distribution.
“If we have solar and hydropower, there’s no need to ship expensive fuel from other regions,” he emphasized.
In addition to renewable energy development, the government is also promoting energy production based on local resources, including biofuels, as part of the national energy and food self-sufficiency strategy.
With synergy between energy production, renewable energy development, and equitable distribution of benefits, Papua is expected to become a model for strengthening inclusive and sustainable energy security in Indonesia.