Golkar Politician Defends Bahlil Amid PLN Coal Controversy: Don't Politicise It
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar Party faction, Ade Ginanjar Anggora, has responded to a statement by PDI Perjuangan politician Deddy Sitorus, who called for Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to be investigated over coal procurement for PT PLN (Persero). According to Ade, issues concerning the governance 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 that 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. Strategic issues such as energy security should not be politicised, thereby obscuring the real substance of the matter,” Ade Ginanjar said in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (14/7/2026). Ade affirmed his support for Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia in carrying out his duties to safeguard national energy security while strengthening governance in the coal mining sector. According to him, the government is currently undertaking various system improvement measures to ensure energy governance becomes more transparent, accountable, and capable of guaranteeing the availability of coal supply for domestic needs. He also supported the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ policy of conducting stricter evaluations of mining companies’ Work Plan and Budget system so that the implementation of the Domestic Market Obligation can be monitored more transparently. Furthermore, Ade considered the strategic budget adjustment to strengthen national energy governance and support the electrification programme as a commendable step. As a member of House Commission V, Ade also expressed support for the ministry’s efforts to strengthen coal distribution governance related to transportation infrastructure development.