Bahlil Reveals Prabowo Requests New Revenue Sources in Mineral Sector!

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has revealed a specific directive from President Prabowo Subianto. This is particularly aimed at increasing state revenues from the natural resources sector, especially minerals.

According to Bahlil, Prabowo emphasised that national interests must be the top priority in managing natural resources, which are strategic national assets.

“The President has instructed me to pay attention to the interests of the state, which take priority above all else. And we must safeguard our natural resources; these natural resources are national assets,” Bahlil said after a limited meeting with the President in Hambalang, Bogor, on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

In that context, the Ministry of ESDM has been tasked with seeking new sources of revenue that have previously been deemed not to provide an optimal share for the state.

“And for that reason, the President also instructed me to find sources of revenue in the mineral sector that have so far been unfair to the state,” Bahlil explained.

One of the steps under consideration is adjusting the Benchmark Mineral Price (HPM) for nickel commodities, which could potentially lead to an increase. “It is very likely that I will raise the HPM for nickel,” Bahlil added.

Furthermore, Bahlil stated that the government’s targets include ensuring that downstream processing proceeds smoothly, the energy transition is implemented, and coal production remains balanced with supply and demand at affordable prices.

According to him, the government desires an ideal situation where both prices and production are favourable, but he stressed that natural resources must not be sold cheaply while maintaining a good market balance.

“We want the ideal scenario where the price is good and production is good. But if not, our goods must not be sold cheaply. And supply and demand must still be within a good corridor,” Bahlil said.