Indonesian minister warns he ‘will not hesitate to stop energy exports to countries that disrespect Indonesia’

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition, Bahlil Lahadalia, warned on October 22 that Indonesia could cease exporting energy to nations that disrespect the country. As Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil emphasized that Jakarta would reassess existing energy export contracts, potentially halting supplies to countries that do not treat Indonesia with respect.

He reiterated Indonesia's sovereignty, which was hard-earned through a long struggle. The warning was made at an event commemorating the commissioning of gas production facilities in Jakarta, and was not directed at any specific country. Despite the firm stance, Bahlil affirmed Indonesia's openness to forming energy export agreements with nations that respect Indonesia and treat it as an equal peer.

Indonesia is maintaining its energy trade opportunities while asserting that diplomatic relations and national interests will influence its decisions. Bahlil's remarks on October 22 followed his comments on October 21, where he mentioned the possibility of not renewing gas export contracts with neighboring countries due to the need to prioritize domestic demand.

These remarks mirrored President Prabowo Subianto's call for Indonesia to safeguard its natural resources and prioritize national interests, although no specific country or dispute was identified. The message is clear: energy partnerships must be reciprocal, requiring countries to resolve disagreements through dialogue, while respecting each other's sovereignty and domestic needs.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Gan Kim Yong, noted that Indonesia is a primary source of natural gas imports for Singapore, with current contracts set to expire at the end of 2028.