President Prabowo Launches Nationwide B50 Biodiesel Implementation
President Prabowo Subianto launched the nationwide implementation of the mandatory 50 percent biodiesel blend initiative, known as B50, at Rest Area KM 57 of the Cikampek Toll Road in Karawang Regency, West Java, on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The B50 programme mandates a 50 percent blend of palm oil-based biodiesel into diesel fuel.
Prabowo arrived at approximately 2.20 p.m. Western Indonesia Time, wearing a cream safari shirt and a black cap. Before entering the inauguration venue, he received an explanation about B50 biodiesel from Eniya Listiani Dewi, the Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
During a gallery walk, Prabowo was accompanied by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Chief Executive Officer of the Danantara Investment Management Agency Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, and President Director of PT Pertamina Simon Aloysius Mantiri. Also present were Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono.
President Prabowo entered the inauguration area at around 2.32 p.m. Members of his Red and White Cabinet were in attendance, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait, and Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Also present were Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Head of the State Intelligence Agency Muhammad Herindra, and Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya. The event was also attended by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia delivered a report on the B50 biodiesel implementation. The policy is part of the government’s agenda to reduce dependence on imported fuel, strengthen the added value of national natural resources, and maintain Indonesia’s economic and energy resilience. The legal basis for the B50 implementation was established through Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 4 of 2025 concerning the Business and Utilisation of Biofuels and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree Number 257.K/EK.01/MEM.E/2026 of 2026.