Dave Laksono: Integrated Downstream Strategy Makes Indonesia the Centre of Global Green Energy Supply Chain
Jakarta – Member of the First Commission of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar faction, Dave Laksono, believes the world is at a crossroads towards global decarbonisation amidst competition among developed nations to secure future energy resources.
He stated that the global energy vision has shifted away from being centred solely in Western countries or East Asia, and has now moved to Indonesia. “Indonesia is no longer a bystander, but rather a new centre of gravity. Under the leadership of Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Indonesia is making a quantum leap through transformation from merely possessing the world’s largest nickel reserves to becoming a globally respected ‘King’ of electric vehicle batteries,” Dave said in a written statement on Monday, 2 March 2026.
He assessed that Bahlil’s grand vision of integrated downstream development is not merely political rhetoric, but a highly precise dual strategy. “He understands that energy transition is an instrument to achieve two major objectives simultaneously: preserving the earth’s sustainability through Net Zero Emission commitments and strengthening the foundation of the national economy towards an 8 per cent growth target,” he said.
According to Dave, downstream development serves as a bridge towards green sovereignty. Historically, the narrative surrounding Indonesia’s natural wealth has been limited to exporting raw materials. However, through Bahlil’s bold energy diplomacy, this paradigm has been completely transformed. “The success of maintaining the nickel export ban policy is now being systematically expanded into building an integrated green industrial ecosystem from upstream to downstream,” he stated.
He argued that by convincing international consortiums to build smelting refineries and battery cell manufacturing plants domestically, Bahlil has secured Indonesia’s position in the global supply chain. Energy independence and just transition remain one of the strongest pillars in Bahlil’s leadership, with a commitment to energy autonomy wrapped in the spirit of green transition. “The process towards clean energy must not sacrifice national energy security or burden the people’s economy. Bahlil’s focus on optimising new renewable energy and integrating green technology into national strategic projects is concrete evidence that Indonesia is serious about becoming a market leader,” he asserted.