M. Faiz Zaki, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has urged for the laying of the first stone or groundbreaking for the 18 downstream projects being studied by Danantara to be held no later than March 2026.
The head of state made the announcement during the Red and White Cabinet retreat at Padepokan Garuda Yaksa, Hambalang, Bogor, West Java last Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
"Out of the six projects that have been decided to be groundbreaking in January, the President has requested that the remaining projects be accelerated so that by February or at the latest in March, all 18 projects can be implemented," said State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, as quoted from Antara.
One of the 18 projects to be built is the waste-to-energy (PSEL) project, which will be built at 34 points spread across 34 regencies/cities, especially in areas with daily waste accumulation reaching an average of 1,000 tons per day.
The PSEL is expected to reduce environmental burdens while also alleviating health risks caused by waste accumulation. The waste-to-energy project built in the 34 regencies/cities or at 34 points will process 1,000 tons or more of waste per day. "This requires immediate handling for processing so that the waste does not pile up and cause many problems," said Prasetyo.
The government previously stated that the 18 downstream projects have passed the pre-feasibility study stage and are estimated to have an investment value of Rp 600 trillion. The investment realization of these projects will be directly led by Danantara Indonesia.
PSEL is a waste processing process that cannot be recycled through technology to produce energy, such as heat, electricity, or alternative fuels. This technology is expected to support national energy self-sufficiency, reduce open waste volumes, and reduce dependence on conventional energy, such as coal.
In addition to the waste-to-energy project, groundbreaking will also be carried out for the coal gasification project into Dimethyl Ether (DME). DME is part of the coal downstream, in which low-calorific coal is processed into an alternative gas. This is expected to reduce Indonesia's need for LPG. "Then, there are also several programs related to energy, programs in the agriculture sector as well," added Prasetyo.
Furthermore, he revealed that President Prabowo has requested that various priority programs, including downstream activities, be accelerated in their implementation. The head of state also emphasized the importance of strengthening cross-ministerial and institutional cooperation to support the achievement of major programs in 2026.
"The work orientation must be entirely for the benefit of the nation, state, and society, leaving personal interests and sectoral egos behind," said Prasetyo. "If problems arise, all parties are asked to immediately find common ground so that the program can run smoothly."
If problems arise in the implementation of the program, all parties are asked to promptly find common ground so that the program can continue. On that occasion, Prabowo also stressed that all officials should work quickly, intelligently, non-normatively, and be able to think out of the box to find breakthroughs for the acceleration of achieving national programs.
Previously, Danantara stated that it would provide 600 temporary shelters to the flood refugees in Sumatera in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh. Danantara's Chief Operating Officer Dony Oskaria said the construction of the houses involved several state-owned contractor companies.
Once completed, the housing units will be handed over to the local government before being given to the rightful recipients. "State-owned companies are working intensively, accelerating construction, procurement of materials, and quality control simultaneously to achieve the target before the beginning of the year," he said in a written statement on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
The target for the handover of the 600 temporary shelters will be carried out on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Construction will continue until it reaches 15,000 units within the next three months.