Prabowo Issues Ultimatum to Japan on Masela Block: Proceed or We Will Find Another Partner

President Prabowo Subianto has revealed that he gave a polite but firm ultimatum to the leadership of a Japanese company regarding the continuation of the Masela Abadi Gas project, which he says has been stalled for 28 years. He stressed that the government will not allow this strategic national project to be delayed any further without certainty.

Speaking during a plenary cabinet session at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday, 20 July 2026, Prabowo said he met directly with the Japanese company’s leadership during a visit to Tokyo to seek clarity on their commitment. ‘I asked them politely about their interest in the Masela Gas project. If they are not willing to proceed, we will hand it over to another company,’ Prabowo said.

He emphasised that Indonesia urgently needs the energy and foreign exchange the project would generate. In addition to the warning to the Japanese firm, Prabowo issued a strict directive to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to evaluate all unused permits. He gave a six-month deadline for the Masela project to show real activity, or the permit would be revoked. ‘I told the minister, if there is no activity in six months, just revoke the Masela Gas permit,’ he said, adding that this zero-tolerance policy applies to all unused permits, including HGU and HGB land titles.