Prabowo urges scientists not to stop biodiesel research at B50

President Prabowo Subianto has urged scientists and universities to continue developing research in the renewable energy sector so that Indonesia does not stop at the implementation of the B50 biodiesel mandate. According to President Prabowo, biodiesel development must continue towards higher blend levels as part of efforts to achieve national energy self-sufficiency. “Scientists from universities, continue this study. Thank you to Pertamina and all your ranks. Keep going, do not stop at B50; if we can reach B60, in what month can we achieve B60?” President Prabowo said in his speech at the launch of the B50 Biodiesel Mandate at the KM 57 Rest Area, Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday. The President revealed that from before his inauguration until officially taking office, he has consistently pushed for the acceleration of Indonesia’s energy independence. He said a proposal to move towards B100 had been discussed with his ministers. However, the government assessed that the implementation of B50 was already capable of delivering a significant impact, including eliminating Indonesia’s dependence on diesel imports. “I demanded energy independence from my team; B40 was not enough. At that time, I even pushed towards B100, but my ministers convinced me, ‘Sir, with B50 alone, we will no longer import diesel from abroad,’” he said. According to Prabowo, the success in achieving B50 is part of the government’s grand strategy to ensure that Indonesia’s natural resource wealth can be utilised to the greatest extent for the welfare of the people. “This is the goal of our development. Our people must prosper, and we must not feel inferior; we must not accept that our people should be poor. We are a rich country, and our people must also enjoy that wealth,” the President stated.