Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources\n(ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia is preparing options for production relaxations\nfor coal and nickel commodities. These options will be considered if\ncommodity prices remain at stable levels.<\/p>\n
Bahlil emphasised that the relaxation in question will not be done\nfreely, but in a measured and limited manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if the prices remain stable, that\u2019s good; we will consider how\nto implement a measured relaxation against the production planning. So\neverything is still within the bounds of coordination with the market,\nas well as supply and demand needs,\u201d Bahlil stated after a limited\nmeeting with the President in Hambalang, Bogor, on Wednesday\n(25\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
Bahlil affirmed that the government wants coal and nickel prices to\nremain at good levels. In this condition, the government will consider\nimplementing measured and limited production relaxations, while\nmaintaining the balance of supply and demand, as well as price\nstability.<\/p>\n
He also revealed that Prabowo instructed him to prioritise national\ninterests in managing natural resources, which are state assets.<\/p>\n
In addition, the President also asked the government to seek sources\nof income in the mineral sector that have not yet provided a fair\nportion for the state, including opening opportunities to increase the\nBenchmark Mineral Price (HPM) for nickel.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd because of that, even the President instructed to seek sources\nof income in the mineral sector that have so far been unfair to the\nstate. Most likely, the HPM for nickel will be increased,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the\ngovernment will determine the amount of coal export duties, along with\nthe coal production target in the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).<\/p>\n
Purbaya mentioned that President Prabowo Subianto has already\ndirected towards a certain figure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is clear is that we will decide in tomorrow\u2019s meeting. But\nclearly, the President has aimed at a certain number, so there\u2019s no\nproblem,\u201d he stated at the Ministry of Finance building in Jakarta on\nWednesday (25\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
According to him, the coal production target in the 2026 RKAB will\nalso be changed, and the government will boost coal production this\nyear.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe RKAB plan may be changed. But it depends on what the Ministry of\nESDM decides later. But clearly, it will be changed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Regarding coal export duties, Purbaya revealed that there is already\napproval from Prabowo. His side will first finalise the plan before\nannouncing it to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe figure has been decided by the President, but the meeting can be\ndiscussed first, then we can issue how it will be. But clearly, export\nduties will be imposed in accordance with the President\u2019s directives.\nIt\u2019s not me who decides, you know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
When asked about the possibility of objections from coal businessmen,\nhe responded, \u201cThey definitely won\u2019t agree. But coal prices are very\nhigh now, over US$135.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo there is a certain figure that has been approved by the\nPresident, but clearly we must discuss whether the industry can accept\nit, not just what they want, how much the profitability is disrupted,\nthat\u2019s what is calculated, not what the coal company leaders want. If\nit\u2019s them, they definitely don\u2019t want it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
As is known, the Ministry of ESDM previously targeted coal production\nin the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) to be cut to around 600 million\ntonnes, lower than the 2025 production realisation of 790 million\ntonnes.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bahlil-prepares-measured-relaxation-for-coal-nickel-cutback-cancelled-1774594285", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }