Power Cuts Continue, LBH Opens Public Complaints Post
The energy crisis resulting in electricity outages in South Kalimantan province has continued for some time. The Borneo Nusantara Legal Aid Institute (LBH) has opened a Power Outage Complaint Post for affected members of the public.
The opening of this Complaint Post is an expression of commitment to providing assistance, protection, and legal aid to those suffering losses due to power outages in the South and Central Kalimantan regions. “The purpose of opening the Complaint Post is to gather data, facts, evidence, and various forms of losses experienced by the community as a basis for providing legal aid and determining appropriate legal steps,” stated the Head of LBH Borneo Nusantara, Muhamad Pazri.
This initiative will also serve as the basis for preparing legal studies, submitting objections to relevant parties, conducting mediation, and pursuing legal remedies in accordance with statutory regulations if necessary. The power outages occurring in various areas have caused both material and immaterial losses. The impact is felt not only by residential customers but also by MSMEs, business actors, and corporate entities whose activities depend on a steady electricity supply.
The complaint posts are distributed across several areas, including Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru, and Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan, as well as through LBH Borneo Nusantara’s social media channels.
Previously, the General Manager of PT PLN Distribution Unit (UID) South and Central Kalimantan, Iwan Soelistijono, ensured that the electricity supply would be on “standby” status starting 3 July 2026. “The meaning of standby does not mean normal, but rather that there will be no more rotating outages as long as there are no sudden disruptions,” Iwan stated during a Hearing with Commission III of the South Kalimantan Provincial DPRD in Banjarmasin on Thursday (2/7).
Amidst public protests, PLN announced machinery failure at the Bangkanai Combined Cycle Power Plant (PLTGU) in Barito Utara, Central Kalimantan. This condition has impacted electricity supply across three provinces in Kalimantan: South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.
Iwan expressed hope that, despite ongoing technical repairs to the power plant, there would be no more rotating outages, particularly in South Kalimantan. “Repairs to the PLTGU plant are expected to be completed this coming September. However, we hope it can be finished sooner,” he said.
The Head of the South Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources Department (ESDM), Endarto, urged PLN to immediately resolve the electricity energy crisis in the region. “Electricity is vital for the lives of the community; it is time for us to develop new renewable energy sources to achieve energy self-sufficiency,” Endarto said on Sunday (5/7).
In another development, the Chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI-ICMA), Priyadi, emphasised that the association is committed to maintaining the security of national coal stocks in accordance with the established Domestic Market Obligation (DMO). “All APBI members are committed to meeting domestic coal needs,” Priadi stated, responding to allegations that entrepreneurs are prioritising coal exports for economic reasons.