Bahlil Pushes for Strengthening Cross-ASEAN Electricity Infrastructure at BIMP-EAGA Forum

Jakarta, VIVA – The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, is pushing for the strengthening of cross-country ASEAN electricity infrastructure development at the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders’ Summit in the Philippines.

Bahlil, who accompanied President Prabowo Subianto at the event, explained that this meeting is an initiative for subregional economic cooperation established since 1994.

“To promote development in the 3T areas for its four member countries,” Bahlil stated in his remarks on Friday, 8 May 2026.

He emphasised that regional energy infrastructure development must deliver tangible impacts for society, particularly in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas.

Bahlil stressed that subregional cooperation should not only focus on inter-country connectivity but also ensure equitable, reliable, and affordable electricity access to the most remote areas.

Therefore, Bahlil believes that this BIMP-EAGA forum must serve as a crucial momentum for Indonesia to strengthen synergies in cross-regional electricity development. Primarily through energy interconnection projects, rural electrification, and the development of new renewable energy.

These efforts are deemed essential so that communities in border areas and remote islands gain better energy access, thereby driving local economic growth.

“This synergy will strengthen collaboration so that people in remote areas can access energy at affordable prices for improved welfare,” Bahlil said.

Through this active participation, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is optimistic that the foundation of cooperation among the four countries will become even stronger to synergise in building energy infrastructure.

Thus, it is hoped not only to secure each country’s supply chain but also to accelerate Southeast Asia as a resilient and sustainable economic growth hub.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo in his speech at the summit affirmed that BIMP-EAGA must continue to develop to better address the needs of communities in the region. According to him, the subregional cooperation must become more adaptive, impactful, and responsive to constantly changing global dynamics.

“With that spirit, BIMP-EAGA must continue to develop. BIMP-EAGA must be more adaptive, more impactful, and more responsive to our communities’ needs,” he stated. (Ant)