Positive Winds from the Strait of Hormuz, Bahlil's Statement

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that there is positive news from the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Iran is implementing a policy of opening and closing the strait, except for Israel and the United States (US).

With this policy, Bahlil explained, it means that ships detained in the Strait of Hormuz can be negotiated to resume sailing.

“But we are getting a bit of positive wind with the Strait of Hormuz now starting to have an open-close policy. This means for ships, for countries that are not Israel and America, communication can now take place. And this is actually a positive development,” Bahlil said when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta, quoted on Wednesday (17/3/2026).

Bahlil revealed that Indonesia’s own oil tankers still detained in the Strait of Hormuz are currently in negotiation status.

“It’s in negotiation now. There’s a long queue, this is being negotiated. Yes, give us time. Still negotiating, still negotiating,” he added.

Unfortunately, Bahlil assessed that the escalating geopolitical conflict shows no signs of subsiding. “The geopolitical situation up to now shows no signs that the conflict in the Middle East is over,” he explained.

On the other hand, Bahlil emphasised that the availability of fuel oil, LPG, and electricity for Indonesia remains under control, safe, and in line with the national minimum stock standards. According to his notes, a new supply of LPG will arrive by the end of this month. Meanwhile, coal supplies for PLN’s power plants average 14 to 15 days.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing several measures for fuel oil conservation. “It’s being studied, being studied, about whether we need WFH. But in my opinion, all possibilities can happen; the important thing is conserving fuel oil is also important. Besides saving imports, it also saves expenditure for all people in Indonesia,” Bahlil stated.