There will be no effect on investment
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Investment Minister and head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has assured that the ban on coal exports will not have a significant impact on Indonesia's investment climate.



"Related news: Coal export ban will not impact state revenues: official," he said after a press conference here on Friday.



The policy to ban coal exports was adopted to fulfill the domestic market obligation (DMO) for coal, he explained. This effort will affect the flow of electricity in the country, he added.



"What if we do not fulfill our DMO? Which one is worse: we stop coal exports and we can have electricity, or we continue coal export but our electricity will go off?" he asked.




As a former businessman, he said he expects coal entrepreneurs to demonstrate nationalism.

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"I will be honest, I am pro-investment. But I love my country more than business matters. If we do not stop exports, we will have no electricity," he emphasized.



The minister urged coal companies to fulfill their DMO obligations. He said he has communicated with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources regarding the issue.



Lahadalia further said he believes that the government is also responsible for finding the best solution. The government is paying attention to the aspirations of other parties, including other countries, in this matter, he assured.

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"I hope we can fulfill our domestic needs and we are also able to export our coal. Many countries have sent letters begging us not to ban exports, especially during winter. We are also responsible for the world's interests. But, we will fulfill our domestic needs first and then we can export the remaining coal," he disclosed.



As soon as domestic needs are met, Indonesia will be able to export coal again, he said.



"We will try to fulfill our domestic needs in the next few weeks. There is around 5–6 million supply of coal. We can export it (once the domestic needs are fulfilled)," he added.


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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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