Indonesians urged to save fuel amid global energy crisis

Bandung. W. Java (ANTARA) - The National Energy Council (DEN) is urging Indonesians to conserve fuel to anticipate the impact of the Middle East conflict, which threatens the stability of global energy prices.

DEN member Satya Widya Yudha emphasized that lifestyle changes in energy consumption are key to reducing Indonesia's dependence on imported fuel, which is vulnerable to the impact of the international crisis.

"We are asking the public to be efficient by optimizing the use of public transportation and reducing fuel consumption," he said during a seminar at Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), West Java, on Tuesday.

“For those who can afford to buy an electric car, please use it wisely," Satya added.

By independently reducing fuel consumption, he continued, the country's import burden can be significantly reduced.

"This way, fuel consumption can be significantly reduced. Our dependence on imports will also certainly decrease," he said.

Despite the escalating global situation, the DEN noted that Indonesia's energy security is currently at a safe level, with an index score of 7.13 on a scale of 10. Currently, national operational fuel reserves are recorded at 21 to 28 days.

The government also confirmed that it has a strong legal framework in place through Government Regulation No. 40 of 2016 to handle energy crises and emergencies in terms of extreme supply disruptions.

As a long-term precautionary measure from the upstream side, the government continues to strive to increase national energy reserves by accelerating the production of domestic energy sources and developing new oil and gas fields, as well as developing alternative energy sources to strengthen national energy independence amid the threat of global disruption.