On Coal and Others, Prabowo: All of These Belong to the Nation, Not to Businesspeople

Jakarta — President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that all of Indonesia’s natural resources, including coal and other commodities, belong to the Indonesian nation, not to businesspeople.

Prabowo acknowledged that businesspeople are indeed given the opportunity to participate in managing natural resources through business arrangements. However, ownership of these natural resources remains vested in the state.

“All of this is the property of the Indonesian nation, not the property of businesspeople. They can do business, but the ownership belongs to the Indonesian nation. All natural wealth that exists is the property of the nation — I want to make that clear,” Prabowo stated during a Full Cabinet Session at the State Palace on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

The government will also prioritise the use of natural resources to meet domestic needs first before allowing exports. This policy applies not only to coal but also to other strategic commodities such as palm oil.

“I want to make clear here that it is true that all coal production is prioritised for our national needs. This also applies to all palm oil, so we fulfil the needs of our nation first before we allow exports,” he said.