Bahlil States Indonesia Does Not Import Fuel from US-Russia, But from Southeast Asia
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, emphasised that Indonesia’s current petrol imports predominantly originate from countries in the Southeast Asian region.
This statement also responds to reports suggesting that Indonesia would import fuel products from Russia, particularly as part of a strategy to secure supplies amid global uncertainties.
“So, we are not importing fuel from the Middle East or African countries or America or other countries. That needs to be clear first. Don’t keep asking me about it like that,” Bahlil said at the Ministry of ESDM building on Friday (17/4/2026).
Initially, Bahlil revealed that around 50% of Indonesia’s petrol needs are still met through imports.
He explained that the national petrol consumption is currently around 39 to 40 million kilolitres per year. Meanwhile, domestic production capacity before the RDMP Balikpapan project was about 14.3 million kilolitres.
With the additional capacity from RDMP Balikpapan of around 5.6 to 5.7 million kilolitres, total domestic production has increased to nearly 20 million kilolitres per year.
“From there, our domestic production before RDMP Balikpapan was 14.3 million. The addition from RDMP Balikpapan is 5.6-5.7 million KL. So nearly 20 million kilolitres. That means our imports are left at 50 percent,” Bahlil said.
Previously, Bahlil reported to President Prabowo Subianto that the government has secured crude oil supplies from Russia. This was stated by Bahlil after a limited meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (16/4/2026).
As is known, Bahlil met with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev on Tuesday (15/4/2026). This meeting was a follow-up to high-level discussions between President Prabowo and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin the day before.
Not only securing crude oil supplies, but according to him, the meeting also resulted in commitments from the Russian side to build infrastructure in Indonesia to enhance energy resilience.
“Alhamdulillah, yesterday following the President’s instructions, I met with the Energy Minister and Special Envoy from President Putin, and the news is quite encouraging that we will receive crude supplies from Russia and the Russian side is ready to build several important infrastructures to increase our national reserves and energy resilience,” Bahlil said after the meeting at the Palace on Thursday (16/4/2026).
In addition, his side is also continuing intensive communications regarding LPG supplies for Indonesia from Russia. Considering that Indonesia imports around 7 million tonnes of LPG every year.