Prabowo Says Energy Security Concept Initiated During SBY Era

President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed that efforts to strengthen national energy security are the result of joint work built continuously by previous administrations.

President Prabowo said the idea was first launched in 2008 during the government of Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), then continued under President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), and is now being carried forward by his administration, culminating in the B50 mandate.

“Imagine, from 2008, that was the SBY government. It was continued throughout Jokowi’s government. At the end, I carry it on. It is like a relay,” President Prabowo said in his remarks at the launch of the B50 Biodiesel Mandate at the Rest Area KM 57, Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday.

President Prabowo said the achievement was the result of collaboration among many parties, from ministries and institutions to stakeholders in the energy and palm oil sectors.

“We work together, as a team. This minister has contributed, that one has too. We could not possibly achieve B50 without the support of many parties,” the President said.

Prabowo emphasised that the biodiesel development programme is not a policy born within a single government term.

According to him, policy continuity is the key to successful national development. In his view, a strategic programme will not achieve results if it is not continued by the next administration.

For that reason, Prabowo invited all parties to appreciate the contributions of previous leaders and to refrain from disparaging one another or spreading slander.

He also reminded that differences of opinion are natural in life, but the government remains committed to implementing policies deemed best for the nation’s interests.

“Some choose the wicked path, some choose the good path. We are on the straight path, on the right path,” he said.