ESDM States Indonesia Does Not Import Fuel from China

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has stated that Indonesia does not import fuel (BBM) from China, and so far, there have been no issues regarding the import of fuel or crude oil.

“Our supply of crude and fuel remains secure. There are no imports from China,” said the Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of ESDM, Laode Sulaeman, when met at the Ministry’s office in Jakarta on Thursday.

This statement comes in response to news regarding the temporary closure of fuel exports from China. According to a statement by the Minister of Energy and Mineral and Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, Indonesia imports the majority of its fuel from Southeast Asian countries, with over 50 per cent of its fuel coming from Singapore and approximately 30 per cent from Malaysia.

When asked about the possibility of Malaysia and Singapore importing products from China, Laode stated that he would coordinate with the importers, such as Pertamina.

“I will try to ask Pertamina. Pertamina knows exactly regarding that issue. But as far as it stands, Indonesia does not import directly from there,” said Laode.

It was previously reported that the President Director of Pertamina, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, stated that Indonesia’s energy supply sources originate from the Middle East, Africa, and the United States.

However, since the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East escalated and impacted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pertamina has been seeking alternative imports to replace supplies originating from the Middle East.

Furthermore, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that fuel imports for Indonesia come from Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.

Bahlil reported that the demand for fuel, such as diesel, can currently be met domestically.

According to him, this is supported by the biodiesel blending programme and the operation of the Balikpapan Refinery Development Master Plan (RDMP) project.

He added that the only type of fuel Indonesia still imports from other countries is petrol. These supplies are obtained from Malaysia and Singapore.

Moving forward, Bahlil stated that Indonesia must begin developing refineries to increase domestic production.