Prabowo Slams B50 Opponents: They Want to Keep Importing and Take Commissions
President Prabowo Subianto has revealed that Indonesia is the first country to realise the B50 biodiesel mandatory programme. He said the programme initially faced considerable opposition from various parties.
“So, this is an achievement. We are the first country in the world, one, to dare to make B50. Two, to succeed in making B50,” Prabowo said during the inauguration of a dam in West Lombok, NTB, on Friday (10/7/2026).
Prabowo said those who opposed the programme argued that vehicle engines would be damaged and that no factory would be willing to supply the engines. In reality, according to Prabowo, they simply wanted to continue importing so they could take profits or commissions.
“Back when we started, oh, many opposed it. It can’t be done, the engines will be damaged. The factories won’t want to supply us with engines. This and that. Basically, they didn’t want us to have B50, because they wanted to keep importing,” he said.
“They want to keep importing. That’s where they take their commissions. Imagine, Rp 170 trillion. If the commission is 20 per cent, how much is that? Rp 34 trillion, taken by just a few dozen people,” he continued.
Prabowo stressed that the government will continue its efforts to reduce dependence on imports while eradicating corrupt practices. According to him, these firm steps are part of a real effort to achieve prosperity for the people.
“What I am fighting for, together with the government that supports me, together with the coalition that supports me, with the mandate given by the people, what we are fighting for is to achieve prosperity for the Indonesian people by reducing, and if possible eliminating, corruption,” Prabowo stated.
He also emphasised the importance of budget savings and efficiency within the government bureaucracy. Prabowo believes Indonesia will never become a prosperous country if corruption and budget leakages are allowed to continue.
“Indonesia cannot be prosperous if corruption is still rampant. Indonesia cannot be prosperous if there are many leakages,” Prabowo added.