Prabowo Warns Inpex Boss Over 28-Year Stalled Project in Indonesia

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that he previously pursued a commitment from the leadership of Japanese energy giant Inpex Corporation to ensure the continuation of the massive Abadi gas project in the Masela Block, Maluku. Prabowo said this action was necessary because the Abadi Masela gas project had been stalled for 28 years. “Another achievement, I think the Abadi Gas Masela project was stalled for 28 years. I went to Tokyo, met with the leaders of Japanese companies, Inpex, and I conveyed politely, ‘Are you still interested? If not, I will appoint another company,’” he said during the Plenary Cabinet Session at the Palace in Jakarta, Monday (20/7/2026). “As a friendly nation, it is impossible for us to issue an ultimatum. It was not an ultimatum, it was an appeal. ‘Your Excellency, is Japan still interested?’ The problem is the nation needs energy, needs foreign exchange, and after that I went home. If the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources allows me to press, that’s fine. I told the Minister of Energy, six months with no activity, revoke it. Now we do not tolerate HGU, HGB, SIUP permits; we give two years, if there is no activity, revoke it,” Prabowo revealed. President Prabowo officially inaugurated the groundbreaking of the Abadi Masela gas project in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku, last week. The ceremony was held virtually from the State Palace in Jakarta, while officials including the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia and Inpex CEO Takayuki Ueda attended the site. Prabowo expressed gratitude that after nearly three decades of waiting, the National Strategic Project had finally commenced. He emphasised that the project, with an investment of nearly US$20.9 billion, is crucial for the nation’s transformation into a modern, industrial country and for funding essential services like healthcare and education.