President Prabowo Orders Revocation of Resource Concessions Idle for Over Two Years

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of regulating natural resource  concessions that are not being utilized productively. According to the Head of State, the Government must be more selective in granting permits and ensure that concession holders possess the capability to manage natural resources optimally.

“When we talk about our Government, we must understand our responsibility to the people. The Government works for the people. Therefore, we must not be too quick to distribute concessions. We must thoroughly evaluate whether those we entrust with concessions truly have the capability to manage them,” the President stated during his remarks at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Thursday (10/22).

To ensure that the utilization of natural resources proceeds optimally, President Prabowo ordered the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to take firm actions against [inactive] concessions. The President stressed that concession permits that have been dormant for more than two years must be revoked.

“We respect everyone. I have said many times that the Indonesian nation is naturally polite, friendly, and welcoming to guests. That is our nature, but sometimes our friendliness and kindness turn into naivety,” he added.

President Prabowo reiterated that these regulatory measures are driven by the Government’s responsibility to ensure national wealth is managed for the welfare of the people. According to him, Indonesia’s vast economic and natural resource potential must be accompanied by the courage to improve governance and ensure that the benefits of development are shared equitably.

“We are a strong and rich [nation]. But now, the challenge is how we manage [these resources] so that they can be felt directly by our people who need them the most. This is our challenge,” the President concluded.  (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (NST/MMB)