Power Cuts Continue, LBH Opens Public Complaints Post

The energy crisis resulting in power outages across South Kalimantan Province has continued. The Borneo Nusantara Legal Aid Institute (LBH) has opened a Power Outage Complaints Post for affected members of the public. The establishment of this Complaints Post represents a commitment to providing assistance, protection, and legal aid to communities suffering losses due to the blackouts in the South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan regions. ‘The opening of the Complaints Post aims to collect data, facts, evidence, and various forms of losses experienced by the public as a basis for providing legal aid and determining appropriate legal steps,’ said Muhamad Pazri, Head of LBH Borneo Nusantara. This will also serve as the foundation for preparing legal studies, submitting objections to relevant parties, conducting mediation, and filing legal actions in accordance with statutory provisions if necessary. The power cuts occurring in various areas have caused losses to the public, both material and immaterial. The impact has been felt not only by household customers but also by MSMEs, business operators, and corporate entities whose activities depend on electricity supply. Complaints posts are spread across several areas, including Banjarmasin City, Banjarbaru City, and Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan, as well as through LBH Borneo Nusantara’s social media channels. Previously, PLN, through its General Manager of the South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan Distribution Unit, Iwan Soelistijono, confirmed that the electricity supply would be in a state of ‘alert’ starting 3 July 2026. ‘The term alert does not mean normal, but there will be no more rolling blackouts as long as there are no sudden disruptions,’ Iwan stated during a Hearing Meeting with Commission III of the South Kalimantan Provincial DPRD in Banjarmasin on Thursday (2/7). Amid public protests, PLN announced damage to machinery at the Bangkanai Gas and Steam Power Plant in North Barito, Central Kalimantan. This condition has resulted in power outages across three provinces in Kalimantan: South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan. Iwan expressed hope that, although the plant is still undergoing technical repairs, there will be no further rolling blackouts, especially in the South Kalimantan region. ‘Repairs to the power plant are estimated to be completed by next September. However, we hope it can be finished sooner,’ he said. Head of the South Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Endarto, stated that his office is also urging PLN to immediately resolve the electricity crisis in the region. ‘Electricity is vital for people’s lives; it is time we develop new renewable energy sources to achieve energy self-sufficiency,’ Endarto said on Sunday (5/7). Separately, the Chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association, Priyadi, affirmed the association’s commitment to maintaining the security of national coal stocks in accordance with the established Domestic Market Obligation. ‘All APBI members are committed to meeting domestic coal needs,’ Priyadi said in response to accusations that business owners prioritise coal exports for economic reasons.