The government should be honest regarding the nation's economic need for coal, he said during a virtual discussion on Thursday.
According to Ibrahim, Indonesia bears resemblance to India and China in its need for coal.
For Indonesia, coal serves two functions, namely, it helps produce safe and cheap, though dirty, electricity, and it is a part of the nation's economy, he said.
"If we stop coal, the state's revenue will decline, not just entrepreneurs' income. This is what we have to deliver," he remarked.
He also asked the government to not make new promises during its G20 Presidency because that would lower the trust that nations of the world place in Indonesia.
Related news: Ministry to underline key points of energy transition at G20
Indonesia has said it will focus on three main issues during its G20 Presidency—sustainable energy transition, global health system, and economic as well as digital transformation.
One of the three main pillars of Indonesia's G20 Presidency, the Energy Transition forum within the Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG), will focus on three priorities: access, technology, and funding, Ibrahim said.
These three priorities are expected to help achieve collective agreement on expediting global energy transition, in addition to bolstering the sustainable global energy system and fair transition, he noted.
Through the forum, Indonesia will have the opportunity to encourage collective effort for realizing policies for accelerating an inclusive global economy, he said.
In addition, Indonesia will also have the opportunity to show the world its full support to the global energy transition, he added.
More than 150 meetings from the working group, ministerial, to the head of nation or government level will be organized during Indonesia's G20 Presidency.
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Related news: Indonesia to push for energy transition support during G20 Presidency
Translator: Sugiharto P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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