Bahlil Prepares Measured Relaxations for Coal and Nickel

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has stated that the government is preparing options for production relaxations for coal and nickel commodities.

The policy will be considered if commodity prices remain at stable levels. However, the relaxation will not be implemented freely, but rather in a measured and limited manner.

“Even if the prices remain stable, that’s good; we will consider how to implement a measured relaxation against production planning. So everything is still within the bounds of coordination with the market, as well as supply and demand needs,” Bahlil said after a limited meeting with the President in Hambalang, Bogor, quoted on Thursday (26/3/2026).

Bahlil emphasised that the government wants coal and nickel prices to remain at good levels. In this condition, the government will consider implementing measured and limited production relaxations, while maintaining the balance of supply and demand as well as price stability.

He also revealed that Prabowo has instructed him to prioritise national interests in the management of natural resources, which are state assets.

In addition, the President has asked the government to seek sources of revenue in the mineral sector that have not yet provided a fair share for the state, including opening opportunities to increase the Mineral Reference Price (HPM) for nickel.

“And because of that, the President has also instructed to seek sources of revenue in the mineral sector that have so far not been fair to the state. Most likely, the HPM for nickel will be increased,” he said.