Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has called on producers and distributors of coal, crude palm oil, and their derivatives to prioritise domestic needs before exporting, signaling tighter controls on commodity exports.
“I would like to stress the need to prioritize coal production for our national need. This directive also applies to palm oil,” he said while chairing a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday (March 13).
Addressing ministers and state agency leaders, Prabowo reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that Indonesia’s natural wealth benefits the broader public.
He assured the public that national interests underpin every policy governing the management of the country’s abundant natural resources.
Adding that while companies may run businesses, all natural resources ultimately belong to the Indonesian nation.
The country plans to withhold export permits from those that fail to meet domestic needs.
