Bahlil Reminds Public to Save Energy, Turn Off Stove Once Food is Cooked

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has reminded the public to use energy wisely and not to hoard fuel oil (BBM). This appeal was made amid rising pressure on global energy supplies due to unrelenting geopolitical conflicts.

“I want to convey that please use energy wisely,” he stated during a press conference after inspecting BBM supplies at the Bolon fuel station in Colomadu Subdistrict, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java, on Thursday, 26 March 2026.

In the field inspection conducted in Central Java and monitored online from the ESDM Ministry office in Jakarta, Bahlil also exemplified energy use at the household level. He emphasised the importance of efficiency, including in the use of LPG gas for cooking.

“For example, when cooking with LPG, if the food is already cooked, don’t waste the stove,” he said.

Additionally, he reminded that public fuel stations (SPBU) should be used for their intended purpose.

“Please, SPBU is not for industry. Please use it wisely,” Bahlil urged.

On that occasion, Bahlil also highlighted the practice of certain individuals buying large quantities of BBM and reselling it. The phenomenon of truck queues at SPBU to buy fuel has caught the government’s attention because it has the potential to disrupt distribution and availability of BBM for the wider public.

He affirmed that such practices will continue to be strictly monitored in the field. Monitoring steps are taken to maintain the stability of BBM supplies in various regions, especially amid the ongoing global energy crisis.

According to Bahlil, the government’s efforts to maintain energy supplies will not be effective without public support. He stated that the government has endeavoured to bring in oil supplies in recent months despite unstable global conditions. However, without wise energy use, such stability will be difficult to achieve.

“I ask my brothers and sisters, those who are hoarding, please look at Mother Earth, she now needs wise children of Mother Earth. Those ways (hoarding) I ask you to stop, don’t continue,” said Bahlil.