Bahlil Speaks Out After Officially Appointed as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and ESDM

Bahlil Lahadalia has spoken out following his inauguration as the Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition, while simultaneously serving as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

Bahlil stated that the dual appointment as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition and Minister of ESDM is a mandate and a responsibility that must be upheld.

“I will carry out my duties well, both as the Minister of ESDM and as the Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition. We know that the President has programmes, one of which in the Asta Cita is about downstreaming and energy transition, and we must be able to consolidate this through the Coordinating Ministry to ensure accelerated execution moving forward,” Bahlil explained following the inauguration at the State Palace on Thursday (1/10/2026).

He confirmed that his office will remain at the Ministry of ESDM headquarters. He noted that the government’s focus remains on downstreaming, observing that 90% of the total 100% investment is concentrated within the ESDM sector.

While he could not provide specific reasons regarding the formation of this new Coordinating Ministry, he noted that, for the time being, the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming will fall under the coordination of this new ministry.

“That is all, it is business as usual,” Bahlil asserted.

“I must not answer beyond the limits of my authority. I am merely executing what has been commanded in the Presidential Decree (Keppres). We interpret all state authority as the President’s prerogative, which is then delegated to his assistants. As a good assistant to the President, I will remain obedient and comply with what is commanded and what is stipulated in the Presidential Decree,” Bahlil concluded.