Palm Oil and Coal Exports Must Be Routed Through DSI, Danantara Refutes Business Operators' Concerns

Republika.co.id, Jakarta – Danantara Indonesia states that the establishment of Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia (DSI) will not disrupt the global trading mechanism for strategic commodities such as palm oil and coal. Danantara regards the already-formed international trading system as the main reference in price determination and export commodity transactions. Managing Director, Stakeholders Management & Communications, Danantara Indonesia, Rohan Hafas, said strategic commodity trading will continue to follow global market mechanisms, so it will not be conducted in a closed manner or based on unilateral agreements among market players. ‘Commodity exchanges around the world have already existed and are established. If we buy oil, Indonesia also buys on the brand oil exchange. Buyers and sellers have matchmakers,’ said Rohan during a media briefing on strengthening governance of export of strategic commodities at Wisma Danantara, Jakarta, Wednesday (20/5/2026). According to Rohan, concerns by business players about potential price interventions do not need to occur because commodity prices will continue to refer to international market prices. He said exporters and global buyers historically have traded under an open trading system that has been in place for a long time. ‘If someone already has a subscription, they cannot do one-on-one. Secondly, the market is already clear,’ said Rohan. Danantara sees the creation of DSI as part of an effort to strengthen the governance of national natural resource exports to be more transparent and accountable. One focus is to prevent under-invoicing practices that can harm the state in the trade of strategic commodities. Rohan said in the next phase DSI will also act as a trader that buys strategic commodities from domestic players. The scheme is expected to maintain price transparency and ensure the value of commodities aligns with real prices on the international market. ‘In the second phase, it is DSI that pays the coal and palm oil entrepreneurs. If they want to ask for more? You can’t. On the world exchanges the number is this, nothing can push it down,’ said Rohan. He emphasised that the policy to strengthen governance of exports through DSI forms part of an effort to safeguard national interests in Indonesia’s natural resource management. According to him, Indonesia’s strategic commodities must still be sold at the best price mechanism in line with the global market.