Controversy Over Indonesia's Alternative Fuel Bobibos, ESDM Requests Lab Testing and Standardisation

The Directorate General of Oil and Gas (Ditjen Migas) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has once again invited the producer of Bobibos (PT Inti Sinergi Formula) to continue discussions on the eligibility of the fuel product they produce for consumers. Ditjen Migas will continue to oversee the development of alternative fuel innovations created by the nation’s own people to achieve energy independence. “Ditjen Migas has again summoned PT Inti Sinergi Formula (Bobibos) to the Ditjen Migas office at the Ibnu Soetowo Building in Jakarta. This summons is a follow-up to the initial meeting on 14 April, to refine the laboratory testing plan and ensure product standardisation and classification before it is marketed or used widely,” said Director of Oil and Gas Technical and Environmental Affairs Noor Arifin Muhammad, quoting the official ESDM statement on Sunday (23/4/2026). Noor requested that the Bobibos side promptly carry out the necessary testing to determine the product’s position, whether it falls into the BBN (Vegetable-Based Fuel) or BBM (Petroleum Fuel) category. “In detail, the technical testing will be fully carried out by Lemigas. We ask Bobibos to proactively follow up on these technical steps so that the process is accountable,” Noor explained. In the previous meeting on 14 April 2026, Ditjen Migas had welcomed the Bobibos innovation amid the global energy crisis pressures. The initial testing stages conducted by Lemigas will begin with sampling according to the international ASTM D4057 standard from the storage tank. PT Inti Sinergi Formula, on that occasion, expressed its readiness to coordinate with Lemigas regarding the needs required for the entire series of testing processes in accordance with the provisions. Previously, the Bobibos side had conducted an internal identification, but it was found that the Bobibos product specifications did not yet meet several standard parameters for BBN or BBM. The government, in principle, welcomes every innovation from the nation’s people related to fuel discoveries that can help strengthen national energy resilience, amid uncertain global conditions. However, on the other hand, there are procedures that must be met to provide safety guarantees to the public as consumers. The series of tests that are underway must be conducted under supervision and in accordance with standard procedures. This is to protect the public from the risk of engine damage, as well as to provide legal certainty as a basis for product complaints if it does not meet the promised standards.