Coal Companies Must Meet Domestic Requirements Before Exporting, Says Bahlil

Jakarta — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has reaffirmed that coal companies are obligated to meet Indonesia’s domestic requirements. He made this statement to President Prabowo Subianto during a Full Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

Bahlil reported that companies holding approved Work and Budget Plans (RKAB) must fulfil the domestic market obligation (DMO). Should companies fail to meet this requirement, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry will not issue export licences.

“If national requirements are not yet sufficiently met, then we will not issue export licences. So what does that mean? Our orientation is towards domestic requirements,” Bahlil stated.

Only after domestic demand is satisfied may coal be exported abroad.

The Golkar Party Chair emphasised that coal is a state-owned mineral resource, not a corporate asset. Operators merely receive concessions to explore Indonesia’s natural wealth, but the mining output remains state property.

“Coal is state property, not company property. We grant entrepreneurs concessions, but its contents belong to the state, so the orientation is for the state,” Bahlil declared firmly.

He claimed that average coal stockpiles across all power plants, both state-owned PLN facilities and private operations, remain above minimum thresholds.

“We report, sir, that across all power plants — both independent power producers (IPP) and PLN-owned ones — coal availability currently averages 14 days,” Bahlil said.

Coal usage must be prioritised to meet national requirements. Only after these are satisfied may coal producers conduct exports.

“Business is permitted, but ownership belongs to the Indonesian nation. I emphasise that all natural resources belong to my nation,” President Prabowo affirmed.