Prevent Export Leakage, DSI Must Prioritise Transparency

The establishment of PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI), a state-owned enterprise (SOE) created to overhaul the management of strategic commodity exports, is viewed as a crucial structural reform to strengthen economic sovereignty. Transparency, accountability, data integration, and professional management are key to DSI’s success in ensuring that natural resources, which have long been the backbone of the national economy, deliver tangible benefits to all citizens. Economist and Public Policy Expert at UPN Veteran Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, stated that Indonesia’s issue is not a shortage of commodities, but value leakage from them. DSI, as an SOE for strategic commodity exports, can be likened to a spillway of a large dam, with natural wealth being the water. According to Achmad, DSI must function as an instrument of economic sovereignty, not merely a rebranded version of the old trade regime. The first indicator DSI must demonstrate from the outset is transparent export pricing. DSI’s success is measured by data: recorded export values, volumes, foreign exchange inflows, discrepancies with benchmark prices, additional tax revenue, royalties, and non-tax state revenue (PNBP). The second indicator is compliance with foreign exchange from exports. Achmad noted that the government has strengthened Foreign Exchange from Natural Resource Exports (DHE SDA) policy through Government Regulation No. 8 of 2025, which replaces Regulation No. 36 of 2023 on the same matter. The regulation encourages the placement of DHE SDA within domestic financial systems to maximise export benefits for national liquidity. “This is where DSI must function as an execution engine. It must ensure export foreign exchange is received, recorded, and monitored, yet remains available for legitimate exporter needs such as tax payments, PNBP, debt, dividends, raw materials, and global obligations,” he added. Achmad explained that one of the most sensitive challenges DSI faces on the ground is under-invoicing practices. Therefore, he urged DSI to implement risk scoring systems for transaction monitoring. Price variations can legitimately occur due to factors such as quality, moisture content, and long-term contracts.