By: Astrid Widia )*
Danantara has set a strategic investment direction as a real effort to encourage national economic growth with a more targeted, accountable, and collaborative approach. This step is not only a strong signal of the government’s seriousness in managing national energy, but also an open invitation to investors, both domestic and foreign, to join in major projects that have a long-term impact on energy independence and the development of Indonesia’s strategic sectors.
President Prabowo Subianto at the 49th Annual Convention and Exhibition of the Indonesian Petroleum Association in Tangerang Regency, said that the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency or Danantara has been prepared as an important instrument for government investment in the strategic energy sector. According to him, Danantara will not only be a domestic investor, but also a collaborative partner for international investors in advancing strategic projects that play a vital role in national energy security.
Prabowo emphasized that foreign involvement is essential, and for that, Indonesia has prepared a large fund through Danantara. The agency’s involvement in energy projects aims not only to boost domestic energy supply, but also to create opportunities for energy exports abroad. He described this approach as a combination of collaboration, cross-sector cooperation, and policies that prioritize common sense and economic rationality.
In his speech, the President expressed concern about Indonesia’s high dependence on fuel imports, which amount to around US$40 billion per year. He considered that such funds should be diverted to more crucial domestic needs, such as education, health services, and poverty alleviation programs. According to him, Indonesia has enormous energy potential, and now is the right time to take advantage of this opportunity with the right strategy.
The potential energy resources in Indonesia’s deep sea areas, according to the President, have begun to be mapped with the help of experts from world-renowned universities. The latest technology is now able to access and process the energy potential that has been hidden in the depths of the sea. The President is optimistic that in the near future Indonesia will not only achieve energy self-sufficiency, but will also return to being a global energy supplier.
To support these efforts, the government has prepared dozens of oil and gas blocks ready to be offered to both domestic and foreign business actors. The President emphasized the importance of creating a conducive business climate by cutting regulations and bureaucracy that have been considered to have hampered the pace of investment. He ordered all regulatory institutions to simplify rules and simplify administrative processes related to investment, in order to accelerate the realization of strategic projects that have been planned.
The President’s directive is in line with the steps taken by Danantara. Danantara’s Managing Director of Finance, Djamal Attamimi, said that his institution already has an investment roadmap for each strategic sector. Danantara’s main investment focus includes critical minerals, energy, health, digital infrastructure, financial services, property, transportation infrastructure, and the food and agriculture sectors.
Djamal emphasized that his party has conducted a feasibility study and a thorough due diligence process on each targeted sector. The goal is to identify which companies or projects have technical and financial investment feasibility. However, he has not revealed in detail how much investment target will be allocated to each sector. For him, the most important thing is to ensure that every Danantara investment is based on valid and in-depth study results.
According to Djamal, Danantara’s presence is not to take over the role of the private sector or shift foreign investors, but to initiate large-scale projects that have a very high level of capital requirements. He sees that many important projects cannot be started only with private initiatives, and in this context Danantara is present as a trigger for strategic investment that has a long-term impact.
Meanwhile, Minister of Investment and Downstream Rosan Roeslani said that the President has given direction for all Danantara investments to prioritize the principles of transparency and accountability. He said that a number of strategic projects managed by Danantara have currently gone through a comprehensive due diligence process and are now in the finalization stage. Rosan ensured that the process that has been passed is open and in accordance with applicable regulations, and will be informed to the public periodically.
Rosan also added that the integrity of the investment process is a top priority. According to him, the most important thing is how each stage carried out by Danantara has been carried out in accordance with good governance principles, professionalism, and in accordance with the existing legal framework. He guarantees the transparency of information and accountability of every project funded by Danantara as a form of commitment to the public and potential business partners.
With a commitment to transparency, a clear investment strategy, and a willingness to simplify bureaucracy, Indonesia is showing a new direction in managing state investment. Danantara is the embodiment of this vision, which is present not only to finance projects, but also to be a driving force for changes in the national economic structure. This is the right time for business actors, stakeholders, and the community to welcome and participate in this major transformation for the future of Indonesia that is more independent and highly competitive at the global level.
)* The author is a public policy observer
