Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Launch of ‘Sugarcane Bioethanol for Energy Security’ program, at the Factory of PT Energi Agro Nusantara (Enero), Mojokerto Regency, East Java Province, November 4, 2022

Good morning.

Ladies and gentlemen, Esteemed guests,

We have started to plant sugarcane that is grown in a modern way. That way, we hope the productivity of the plant will be of quality and enhanced.

Because we know that we have been importing very large amounts of sugar for domestic consumption, which stands at 1,088,000 tons per year. That is a very large number just for consumption, while for the industry, it is 3,569,000 tons per year.

In fact, we are all aware that Indonesia was once a sugar exporter in the 1800s. We carried out the export everywhere, to all countries at that moment. The question is, why are we now importing sugar instead of exporting it? There must be something wrong, which we have to straighten up.

To that end, I order Minister of SOEs to prepare sugarcane seeds with the world’s best varieties. That is why we are working with Brazil on this program since it already has good experience in sugarcane and sugar industry.

We hope that we could achieve self-sufficiency by implementing a modern way of planting methods in the next five years. And, we could build our own food security without having to import. But indeed, it will take process. It may take five years. That’s our target. All countries are currently focusing on food issues and energy. All countries. And, we have the opportunity to resolve these problems.

As Pak Pahala said earlier, if we want to produce E5 (Ethanol 5), we will need approximately 350 thousand kiloliters. This factory currently produces 30 thousand kiloliters. For the E5 alone, we need 10 factories as we see now. Can you imagine? That’s just for E5. If we want to produce E20, we just need to multiply it. We will need a lot from this sugarcane business.

Local farmers and sugar factories should work well together. In addition, the machines in the sugar factory must also be upgraded with the latest technology to achieve the highest sugar content (rendemen). The farmers will also benefit from it. I am sorry to say, but it will be hard if we use out-of-date machines. The key is indeed the rendemen, right?

I have visited several factories. If we still use the same methods, we would not move forward. Whatever we say, the problem will not be resolved. There is no way out. The key is indeed good seeds and up-to-date machines that can facilitate the farmers. These are the key. It also requires a lot of investments, a lot of money. We have decided to make a change. Who is not with me, please rise your hand.

That is what we will do. In addition to meeting the sugar target, sugar can also produce molasses, which will be used to build the ethanol industry. And by building the bioethanol industry, we can strengthen our energy security. We are also aware that half of the energy we use, 50 percent of the fuel we use is imported. We cannot keep doing this. Once the sugarcane program is successful and the B30 palm oil can be much increased, it will strengthen energy security of our country.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I hereby launch ‘Sugarcane Bioethanol for Energy Security’ Program.

I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(RIF/MUR)