Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto highlighted the use of palm oil for fuel while attending the Golkar Party anniversary event in Jakarta, December 5, 2025. Prabowo said Indonesia must achieve energy and fuel self-sufficiency by way of palm oil.

Prabowo preluded the remark by mentioning the ongoing war in Europe that has affected Indonesia's energy imports, as well as the crisis in the Straits of Hormuz and Yemen, which halted fuel supplies.

"But we are blessed by the Almighty, we have palm oil, which can be used for fuel, for diesel, and gasoline. We have the technology," said Prabowo during the event.

Prabowo claimed that economists keep debating the prices every time he orders production for ordering B50 and B60 biodiesel with palm oil. He said Indonesia would only feel the energy crisis if it lacked the technology and the processing plants.

"Now, with the disaster in Sumatra alone, look how difficult for us to deliver fuel to the affected areas. Bridges are broken, and we have to transport fuel by plane and partly by ship," he said.

Sumatra wrecked by floods and landslides

Prabowo's palm oil remark came against the backdrop of floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. Oil palm plantations are said to exacerbate disasters in the region.

Video footage of Prabowo defending palm oil also resurfaced after the disasters that have killed over 850 residents across three provinces.

The head of state mentioned last year that palm oil is a national asset. He instructed his aides to tighten security over this commodity from other countries.

Additionally, Prabowo said the Indonesian government must ramp up expansion of oil palm plantations. "There's no need to fear deforestation," said Prabowo in December last year, adding that the commodity is derived from trees due to the presence of leaves, which in turn will absorb carbon dioxide.

Prabowo also underscored the plan for European countries to restrict palm oil imports from Indonesia.

Responding to that, the president said to pay no mind to the issue, as restrictions on palm oil imports will bring chaos to other countries' industries.

"This will bring chaos to their cocoa, detergent, and cosmetics industries. Indonesia will be fine," he said.

– Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to the writing of this article.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2071381/prabowo-hails-indonesias-palm-oil-after-sumatra-floods-kill-hundred