ESDM Requests Official Testing and Licensing for Bobibos Before Market Entry

Producers of the Indonesian Original Fuel Made in Indonesia, Mate! (Bobibos) attended an audience with the Directorate General of Oil and Gas of the Ministry of ESDM yesterday. Several matters were discussed, particularly the procedures for marketing Bobibos in Indonesia.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that the plant-based fuel (BBN) Bobibos must undergo road tests on car and motorcycle vehicles.

“Later, tests will be conducted on car and motorcycle vehicles. We will focus there,” said the Director General of Oil and Gas (Dirjen Migas) of the Ministry of ESDM, Laode Sulaeman, in a statement received in Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

Laode stated that to become a solution for petrol-type fuel that is still imported, the Bobibos innovation must follow a series of tests. Laode also instructed the Director of Oil and Gas Technical and Environment of the Ministry of ESDM, Noor Arifin Muhammad, to lead a team together with Bobibos representatives.

“Later, we will directly discuss the technical aspects only. We will compile what is needed,” said Laode.

He also reminded about several permits that need to be applied for by Bobibos to other ministries, especially related to sales permits.

On that occasion, Bobibos Coordinator, Mulyadi, was present accompanied directly by the Founder of Bobibos, Iklas Thamrin. In the meeting, Iklas explained that the fuel is very ready to be tested. It has even undergone a series of internal tests.

“We have already conducted road tests on various brands of motorcycles, cars, diesel, even trucks,” said Iklas.

Meanwhile, Mulyadi said that the raw material for Bobibos comes from straw, a material that is usually burned by farmers. “With the presence of Bobibos, farmers smile twice. During harvest, there is rice, after harvest, the straw has economic value,” said Mulyadi.

He targeted the Bobibos innovation to have an impact on Indonesia, such as reducing fuel imports, prospering farmers, and reducing the environmental impact of fossil petrol. “And most importantly, opening up employment opportunities,” he said.