Nuclear Experts File Lawsuit Against President Jokowi Over Energy Policy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Plaintiffs that consist of two retired Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) employees, Sudarta and Dedi Sunaryadi, along with one entrepreneur Achmad Nawawi, have filed a lawsuit against President Joko Widodo or Jokowi at the Supreme Court over Indonesia’s national energy policy, specifically the Article 11 government regulation No.79/2014. 

“Article 11 has caused the government to not seriously execute the nuclear power plant program,” said the plaintiffs’ lawyer Adi Prakoso in a written statement on May 24. 

The lawyer said that the lack of any nuclear power plant program has made the expertise honed by Sudarto and Dedi to not be maximized to its full potential. He added that his clients’ skills are internationally acknowledged regarding nuclear technology.

Article 11 positions nuclear as the last option in the national energy supply, which goes against Article 4 (1) of the Energy Act, “Law No.30/2007 on energy never positions nuclear energy as a last option,” the lawyer explained. 

Adi argues that this contradiction sends a message that the government doubts the competence of its own institution.

"How is it possible for the government to make policies with double standards, by doubting the competence of its own government institutions in the National Energy Policy PP, but providing guarantees in the Nuclear Energy Law," said Adi. 

M ROSSENO AJI

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