President Prabowo Officially Launches Construction of Indonesia's Giant Abadi Masela Gas Project
President Prabowo Subianto has officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the giant Abadi gas field development in the Masela Block, located in the Tanimbar Islands, Maluku. The President presided over the event via video conference from the State Palace in Jakarta, while several officials, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Nusron Wahid, Head of the Presidential Staff Office Dudung Abdurachman, Head of SKK Migas Djoko Siswanto, and Tanimbar Islands Regent Ricky Jauwerissa, attended the site in person. The ceremony was also witnessed directly by Inpex Corporation CEO Takayuki Ueda. Inpex is the operator and majority Participating Interest holder in the Masela Block, with a 65% stake.
President Prabowo began his remarks by apologising to the people of Maluku for not being able to attend in person. ‘I apologise, I originally wanted to be there directly, but due to various events I could not leave the capital, so I am forced to attend via this video conference. This is a debt I owe to the people of Maluku and the regency, God willing, I will repay this debt in the near future,’ he stated.
The President expressed gratitude that after nearly three decades of waiting, the National Strategic Project (PSN) had finally commenced. He emphasised that the development of a nation is a long journey requiring the unity of all elements, and that the Abadi Masela project is critically important. ‘This project has been awaited for almost three decades, three decades the people have waited. Alhamdulillah, today we begin construction, and the construction must not be hampered; it must be completed in the shortest possible time,’ he said.
Prabowo highlighted that energy is a fundamental requirement for a nation’s survival and that Indonesia is blessed with vast energy reserves in the Tanimbar waters. He acknowledged the 28-year journey to reach this point and expressed appreciation to all parties involved, including the Japanese investors at Inpex and the Malaysian partners at Petronas. He also expressed pride in the participation of the national company, Pertamina, urging all parties to work together to ensure the project’s success and swift production.
The President stressed the principle of mutual benefit, stating that a host’s honour lies in the satisfaction of its guests and partners. However, he also underscored the government’s responsibility to its people, many of whom face hardship. He reiterated that the project must be executed properly on a mutually beneficial basis, with investors needing to profit. Conversely, he emphasised the nation’s responsibility to use the energy resources for national transformation, aiming to become a modern, industrialised country like Japan.
Prabowo noted that the project requires a massive investment of nearly US$20.9 billion and will produce over 9 million tons of gas and condensate, significantly aiding Indonesia’s development. He stressed the need for downstream processing, which requires substantial energy, and noted Indonesia’s resilience amid global uncertainties. The President concluded by offering special thanks to Inpex CEO Takayuki Ueda, expressing his impression that Ueda had learned Indonesian and voicing his confidence that under such leadership, the project would succeed and bring benefits to all.