President Prabowo Subianto, attended the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines on May 7-8, 2026. The Indonesian President was accompanied by several ministers, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia.
Indonesia’s Minister Bahlil stated that regional energy security is an option for facing challenges together. Therefore, amidst global geopolitical and geoeconomic turmoil impacting the energy supply chain, Bahlil pushes for the diversification of this vital global resource.
“ASEAN must reduce its dependence on a single source. Indonesia is promoting the ASEAN Power Grid and subregional electricity interconnections such as BIMP-EAGA,” Bahlil told reporters at the time.
In response tonthis, a Public Policy Observer, Prof. Dr. Henry Indraguna, stated that regional energy independence is no longer an option, but it is a necessity. He said this is because dependence on the power of a single country or economic alliance means a nation will never be sovereign in natural resources, such as energy.
“In this era of global uncertainty, energy diversification and cross-border interconnection, as advocated by Mr. Bahlil, must be fully supported to prevent ASEAN from being vulnerable to external shocks,” Prof. Henry told the media recently.
The professor at Sultan Agung Islamic University in Semarang also stated that this step is highly strategic and in line with the Prabowo administration’s commitment. He also referred to the thinking of Rodolfo C. Severino Jr., former Secretary-General of ASEAN.
“As Rodolfo C. Severino Jr. stated about the spirit of equality and partnership expressed in the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, he stated that regional cooperation must be a strong foundation for shared growth and stability. “Regional energy independence is the embodiment of this principle,” Henry conveyed.
He cited Indonesia’s rich coal, nickel, and renewable energy potential as an example. However, Indonesia has been a net oil importer since 2004.
Singapore and Thailand import almost 100 percent of their oil and gas. The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia also import significant amounts of energy. The exception is Brunei, as the Sultanate is a net oil exporter.
In addition, he said that more than half of the region’s oil needs come from the Middle East. Therefore, energy demand continues to rise.
He stated that when there is a struggle for energy in one country or region, it will impact price and supply shocks in every country that still relies on energy supplies from other countries.
“These differences can be turned into strengths if leveraged through interconnection and diversification. Without concrete cooperation like the ASEAN Power Grid and energy reserve sharing schemes, each country will remain vulnerable,” Prof Henry said. RRI
