Beware of Geopolitical Impacts: Prabowo Gathers Ministers to Develop Energy Saving Strategy

Jakarta, VIVA – President Prabowo Subianto received several ministers from the Merah Putih Cabinet at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, 19 March 2026, to discuss strategic steps for national energy conservation.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that the meeting focused on the government’s efforts to anticipate global geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the Middle East region, which could impact the stability of global energy supply and prices.

In the discussions, the President emphasised the importance of measured anticipatory steps to maintain national energy resilience amid dynamic global situations.

“The President discussed strategic steps related to energy conservation plans across various sectors, as an anticipation of geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East region that could affect the stability of global energy supply and prices,” said Teddy in his statement on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

The President instructed that energy efficiency policies be focused on specific sectors that have a significant impact on national energy consumption.

“The President instructed that efficiency be focused on several specific sectors to maintain domestic energy stability and resilience,” he said.

This step is part of the government’s strategy to ensure the sustainability of energy supply while maintaining national economic stability amid global uncertainties.

Through cross-ministerial coordination, the government aims to ensure that energy conservation policies can be implemented effectively, on target, and without disrupting public economic activities.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, assured that the government continues to strengthen national fiscal resilience amid global dynamics, including anticipating rises in energy prices.

After the meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday, 19 March 2026, Airlangga explained that the President has emphasised the importance of keeping the state budget deficit below 3%, so the government will implement efficiency measures across various Ministries/Institutions (K/L).

“We are maintaining the state budget so that the deficit remains below 3% and in line with the directives from the Full Cabinet Plenary Session and has been discussed with technical ministries; this is done through efficiencies from various K/L. And with efficiencies from various K/L, the 3% deficit can be maintained,” he said.