Indonesia Ensures It Will Not Rely Solely on Middle Eastern Oil Imports

Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has assured the public that national energy supply remains secure despite the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which threatens to disrupt oil distribution routes from the Middle East region.

Laode Sulaiman, Director General of Oil and Gas at the ESDM Ministry, stated that the government has prepared anticipatory measures to prevent such conditions from triggering an energy crisis domestically.

According to him, the government does not rely solely on crude oil supplies from Middle Eastern countries whose shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, the government is preparing energy supply diversification by establishing cooperation with other nations.

“The Minister previously stated that we do not rely only on sources from Middle Eastern countries, particularly those passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but also from other countries, including continuing cooperation with American businesses,” Laode said when met at the Balongan Refinery Complex on Friday (13 March 2026).

Earlier, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced that the government had prepared anticipatory measures, particularly following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Bahlil revealed that approximately 20.1 million barrels of oil per day pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Additionally, some of Indonesia’s crude oil imports from the Middle East also travel via this route.

“Following the President’s directive regarding current developments, the Strait of Hormuz is now closed due to the war involving Israel, America, and Iran, with impacts on global energy,” Bahlil stated during a press conference at the ESDM Ministry on Tuesday (3 March 2026).

He elaborated that of Indonesia’s total crude oil imports, approximately 20-25% originates from the Middle East region with distribution through the strait, whilst the remainder is supplied from other countries including Africa, the United States, and Brazil.

To anticipate potential supply shortages, the government plans to redirect a portion of crude oil imports from the Middle East to the United States, thereby avoiding being trapped in current global dynamics.