PT DSI Becomes Special SOE for Exports as DPR Member Notes China and Arab State Companies

Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the House of Representatives Nurdin Halid stated that state involvement in managing strategic commodities is not a new concept globally. He made the remarks in response to Indonesia’s official establishment of a special export state-owned enterprise, PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI).

“The lesson is clear: many countries do not leave strategic commodities entirely to free market mechanisms. They build state instruments to strengthen national bargaining power,” Nurdin said in a statement on Sunday (31 May 2026).

Nurdin explained that Norway uses state-owned enterprises and strong fiscal governance to ensure oil and gas wealth becomes a long-term source of prosperity through a sovereign wealth fund. Chile’s Codelco plays a key role in copper management and state revenue. Meanwhile, China has state trading companies such as COFCO to secure food and strategic commodity supply chains.

However, Nurdin cautioned Indonesia against blindly copying other countries’ models. The key takeaway is for the state to be strongly involved while ensuring companies remain professional and collaborate with the market.

Therefore, Nurdin supports the government’s move to establish a special SOE for managing strategic commodity exports. “All of this embodies economic sovereignty to maximise natural resource wealth for the people’s prosperity,” he added.

Nurdin later referenced President Prabowo Subianto’s announcement to form a special SOE to handle exports of strategic commodities. The SOE was established to address under-invoicing practices allegedly costing the state Rp15.4 trillion over 34 years.