Prabowo Reveals Indonesia to Produce Petrol from Coal

President Prabowo Subianto has revealed that the government is targeting the development of petrol produced from coal as part of an effort to strengthen national energy security and reduce dependence on fuel imports.

This plan emerges after the government assessed that the palm oil-based biodiesel programme continues to show positive results. According to Prabowo, the implementation of diesel mixed with up to 50% palm oil, known as B50, has ensured that Indonesia has not imported diesel since 1 July 2026.

Prabowo stated that the development of fuel from domestic resources is the result of research and innovation by Indonesian academics, particularly from engineering faculties.

“Our professors, who are truly brilliant—not like those previous professors—from our engineering faculties have successfully produced diesel from palm oil, and have been able to produce petrol from palm oil; and we will also produce petrol from coal,” said Prabotu while attending the 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in East Java, as reported on Sunday (20/9/2026).

According to Prabowo, the success of the B50 programme serves as evidence that Indonesia is capable of utilising domestic natural resources to meet national energy requirements.

“Since 1 July, we have not imported diesel from abroad. Our diesel is now self-sufficient,” he said.

Prabowo emphasised that diesel self-sufficiency is a crucial step amidst global uncertainties still shadowed by geopolitical conflicts and energy supply chain disruptions.

He assessed that dependence on energy imports carries high risks because fuel supplies in the global market are not always available, even if a country possesses the financial capacity to purchase them.

“These days, diesel is scarce globally; even if we have the money, the goods might not be available. Alhamdulillah, we can now produce our own diesel. From where? From palm oil,” said Prabowo.

Consequently, the government plans to continue the development of fuels based on domestic resources, including exploring opportunities to utilise coal as a raw material for petrol production.