Misbakhun Urges Government to Maintain Energy Stockpiles and Logistics Flow Amid Middle East Conflict Risks
Jakarta — Mukhamad Misbakhun, Chair of Commission XI of the People’s Consultative Assembly (DPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, has urged the government to act swiftly in maintaining energy stockpiles and ensuring smooth national logistics distribution.
This measure is considered crucial for protecting public purchasing power amid global economic pressures resulting from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which coincides with the Ramadhan 1447 Hijriah (H) period.
According to Misbakhun, the conflict involving key nations in the global energy supply chain has the potential to trigger oil price surges and financial market volatility.
These conditions could weaken the rupiah, burden energy subsidies in the State Budget (APBN), and drive up prices of goods and services domestically if not anticipated in a measured manner.
Furthermore, he stated that if energy prices surge globally during this period and exchange rates fluctuate, pressure on domestic inflation will intensify.
Therefore, the Golkar party politician has asked the government to prepare buffer scenarios to prevent these issues from triggering a cascading effect on prices of goods and services. One approach involves maintaining adequate fuel stockpiles and ensuring smooth logistics flows.
He emphasised that the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) must prepare realistic emergency fiscal scenarios, including the possibility of adjusting the state expenditure posture should global oil prices reach elevated levels.
Misbakhun believes that strengthening fiscal reserves and sharpening spending priorities are important steps to maintain budgetary flexibility without compromising social protection programmes.
He has also encouraged close coordination between Kemenkeu and Bank Indonesia (BI) to maintain currency stability and financial market liquidity.
“Rupiah stability and adequate banking liquidity must not be disrupted. The business world requires certainty, whilst society needs security. Therefore, fiscal and monetary policies must be aligned to calm market turbulence,” he asserted.
Misbakhun has assured that Commission XI of the DPR will intensively monitor the government’s policy response to Middle East conflict developments, including their impact on energy subsidies, inflation, exchange rates, and the stability of the national financial system.