Fuel Efficiency Policy, Ministry of Defence: Directive from President Prabowo Subianto

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) states that the implementation of the fuel efficiency policy for petroleum (BBM) within the Kemhan and TNI environments is a directive from President Prabowo Subianto.

“In principle, this step is a follow-up to the President’s directive,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, to Kompas.com on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

The high-ranking TNI officer explained that the policy aims for all Kemhan units to prepare proactive, efficient, and cost-saving measures for BBM consumption in facing geopolitical dynamics that could affect energy prices.

However, Rico did not specify how long this policy will last.

“It will be adjusted based on evaluations of the situation and future needs. For defence BBM supply, the principle is to ensure that support for strategic operational needs remains maintained,” Rico emphasised.

Previously, Kemhan together with TNI prepared efficiency or rationing steps for BBM use as a form of anticipation against global geopolitical dynamics that could potentially affect energy stability.

“The government views the need for early mitigation to maintain economic stability and national resilience,” said Rico in his statement on Monday (23/3/2026).

According to Rico, this policy aligns with the directives of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, who emphasises the importance of proactive steps and national efficiency without disrupting public services or state readiness.

“As a follow-up, Kemhan and TNI are carrying out internal adjustments that are administrative and managerial in nature,” he said.

“The steps prepared include more effective and priority-based regulation of resource use, including in the operations of main weapon system equipment (alutsista) and official mobility,” Rico explained.

According to him, the policy is implemented adaptively, measurably, and gradually according to the needs of each work unit.

“Then, the regulation of alutsista use based on priority indices and operational needs, as well as restrictions on the use of official vehicles and employee shuttle transport while still considering the effectiveness of task implementation,” Rico explained.