Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized here on Monday the need for the government to lay greater focus on the energy sector amid the weakening global oil prices.
"I have always expressed the need to focus on food and energy. We are building the infrastructure needed to achieve the target as food and energy would be the bone of contention," the president stated after witnessing the Energy and Mineral Ministrys strategic activities valued at Rp3.04 trillion.
President Jokowi also urged the ministry to establish cooperation with the state-owned oil company Pertamina, if needed, to meet the energy demand in the face of the dwindling oil prices.
The president underscored the need to purchase crude oil to stabilize domestic oil prices.
"At least, we already have stocks, and therefore, the overall business strategy must also be well-designed. We must maintain stocks, while the price is very low," the president affirmed.
On the occasion, president also urged domestic and foreign investors to build oil refineries in Indonesia.
Moreover, the president called to remind all related ministries and state-owned enterprises to build or repair the existing oil refineries to increase domestic production.
"I have expressed my views to the minister to take a decision on building oil refineries. Any country that produces crude oil is welcome to build a refinery here to meet the domestic requirement and to shorten our supply chain," affirmed the president.
As part of the event, the ministrys strategic activities comprised the construction of gas pipelines for residential areas in South Sumatra and several power plants in eastern Indonesia.(WDY)
