TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) research director Berly Martawardaya asked the government to issue derivative rules of the Job Creation Omnibus Law that guaranteed environmental sustainability. He urged the government to establish a special committee.

“If possible, there should be a committee comprising experts and community leaders so that the government will not only accommodate investors’ interests but also the environment's,” said Berly in a virtual discussion with Greenpeace Indonesia on Friday, November 13, 2020.

Moreover, as the largest palm oil and coal producers, Indonesia contributed to greenhouse gas emissions, he said. Berly assessed the government could accelerate the realization of its new and renewable energy (EBT) program.

The EBT program is considered to be able to suppress the country’s dependence on energy imports. “The ESDM (Energy and Mineral Resources) Ministry’s target for the EBT program has only reached 9 percent. This is difficult and challenging, but it does not mean it is impossible,” Berly explained.

The government targeted the utilization of EBT towards the national energy mix up to 23 percent in 2025. Indonesia has huge potential of new energy resources reaching 400 gigawatts. Of which, only about 10 gigawatts or 2.5 percent have been utilized.

Read: Job Creation Law Reduces Investment Quality: Indef Economist

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA