Prabowo-Putin talks help ease energy supply risks: MPR
Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno observed that President Prabowo had opened new avenues to secure crude oil and gas for domestic needs from Russia amid mounting uncertainty caused by souring geopolitics.
“With energy supplies guaranteed, I believe we can say that our country has entered a safe zone. Let us hope this (sense of relief) will last,” he remarked at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The legislator argued that the president’s diplomatic maneuver had reignited hope for Indonesia to navigate emerging risks in the global energy network, increasingly shaped by a seller’s market in which oil-producing countries hold the advantage of determining prices, volumes, and targeted consumers.
He expressed confidence that the government’s ongoing efforts would keep Indonesia away from potential fuel shortages.
The government, he continued, has shown its commitment to ensuring energy remains sufficient and affordable for the public, as reflected in its decision to nix a price increase for subsidized fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“I view this as a very good policy to sustain people’s purchasing power,” Soeparno remarked.
President Prabowo and President Putin met at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Monday (April 13), resulting in a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including energy.
The Indonesian leader linked energy stability concerns to recent geopolitical tensions, saying his administration deems communication with Russia crucial amid current circumstances.
“We find it vital to consult on feasible ways to address the situations, especially through deeper cooperation in economics and energy,” he said during the meeting.
The following day, Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia convened with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev to negotiate the purchase of crude oil and LPG.
He noted the meeting was productive, as Russia expressed readiness to supply oil, gas, and electricity to help Indonesia maintain energy security.
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Translator: Bagus Ahmad, Tegar Nurfitra