DSI to Operate Fully Next Year and Recruit Foreign Commodities Traders
Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Pandu Sjahrir said the establishment of Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia (DSI) aims to strengthen Indonesia’s natural resource value. Pandu stated that DSI is currently in the organisational structuring and market awareness phase.
“This is the fifth day since DSI was established as a new company. It became a BUMN on Monday, so it’s quite fast,” Pandu said during a discussion titled “Calming Turbulence, Strengthening Stability Amid Global Uncertainty” in Jakarta on Tuesday (26/5/2026).
Pandu believes DSI can address under-invoicing and transfer pricing practices prevalent in Indonesia’s strategic commodities sector. He said under-invoicing is the main issue causing value leakage abroad.
“The main issue with Indonesia’s natural resources is under-invoicing and potential value transfer. This is not only in coal but also other commodities,” he added.
Pandu, who has long been in the coal industry, said when he first led the coal association, a significant portion of coal trade was not properly managed.
“I was chairman of the coal association for nearly 10 years. When I first took the role, about 40% of coal was not traded through proper processes,” he continued.
Therefore, Pandu explained, the government formed DSI to improve Indonesia’s strategic commodity trading mechanisms. DSI will operate under the Danantara ecosystem with a profit-oriented approach like a sovereign wealth fund.
“President’s choice to include it under Danantara is for profits to return to Danantara as a sovereign wealth fund. This is savings for future generations,” he added.
Pandu said DSI is currently 99% owned by BPI Danantara and 1% by the relevant BUMN. In the first six months, the company will focus on building teams and systems in three key sectors: coal, crude palm oil (CPO), and ferro alloy.
Pandu stated that June to December 2026 will be the transition period before full operations begin early next year. During this period, DSI will continue communicating with market players and industry associations to reduce uncertainties since the agency’s formation.
“From 1 June to December is the transition period. Full action will commence on 1 January 2027,” he said.
Pandu also mentioned DSI needs commodity traders from both domestic and international backgrounds. He believes global traders will strengthen the nation’s strategic commodity trading business.
“So in terms of human resources, our recruitment is global, not just in Indonesia — it’s global,” he said.