Golkar Legislator Urges PLN Coal Controversy Not Be Politicised
A member of the House of Representatives from the Golkar Party faction, Ade Ginanjar, has responded to a statement by PDI Perjuangan politician Deddy Sitorus, who had called for Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to be investigated over coal procurement for PT PLN (Persero). According to Ade, issues concerning the management of the national energy sector must be addressed objectively by prioritising facts, data, and the applicable legal mechanisms. He assessed that the developing polemic should not be turned into political fodder, which could potentially disrupt the stability of the energy sector and the national investment climate. “Every issue must be addressed objectively based on facts and data. Do not let strategic issues such as energy security be politicised, thereby obscuring the substance of the actual problem,” Ade said in a statement on Tuesday (14/7/2026).
Ade affirmed his support for Bahlil in carrying out his duties to maintain national energy security while strengthening governance in the coal mining sector. He noted that the government is currently undertaking various system improvement measures to ensure energy governance becomes more transparent and accountable, and is capable of guaranteeing the availability of coal supply for domestic needs. He also supported the ESDM Ministry’s policy of conducting stricter evaluations of mining companies’ Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) systems so that the implementation of the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) can be monitored more transparently. Furthermore, Ade considered the strategic budget adjustments to strengthen national energy governance and support the electrification programme as commendable steps.
Ade also expressed support for the ESDM Ministry’s efforts to strengthen coal distribution governance related to transport infrastructure development. He backed the ministry’s firm action to revoke or suspend Mining Business Permits (IUP) of coal companies that do not comply with government regulations. According to him, the ESDM Ministry also needs to use its regulatory authority to block the annual RKAB submissions for companies that lack the commitment to build special coal hauling roads. Additionally, Ade encouraged the ESDM Ministry to lead policy coordination from the upstream to downstream sectors together with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Public Works. Synchronising coal distribution supervision with the enforcement of Over Dimension Over Loading (ODOL) rules at weighbridges and loading and unloading ports is considered important so that coal logistics distribution runs in a more orderly, safe, and efficient manner.
To strengthen the implementation of the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) programme, Ade stated he is ready to support the acceleration of the budget for port infrastructure development and river channel dredging. According to him, coal distribution to PLN’s coal-fired power plants (PLTU) needs to be directed more optimally via waterways or barging, thereby reducing the burden on national roads while increasing distribution efficiency. At the end of his statement, Ade reminded all parties that resolving issues in the coal sector must maintain legal certainty, business stability, and investor confidence. “What is needed now is comprehensive system improvement and inter-agency collaboration to strengthen national energy governance. Do not let political polemics disrupt the government’s efforts to maintain energy security and investment certainty in the mining sector,” Ade concluded.