Serpong — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto issued a blunt critique of the country’s notoriously complicated regulatory environment, calling for a sweeping overhaul to streamline bureaucracy—particularly in the oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the 49th Annual Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) Convention and Exhibition held in ICE BSD City, South Tangerang, on Wednesday (May 21), Prabowo acknowledged a deeply rooted tendency within the government to overregulate, often to the nation’s own detriment.
“There is a tendency—not only in Indonesia, but we are the experts at it—to create overly complex regulations that end up hurting ourselves,” Prabowo said. “This must stop. Any official unwilling to simplify the regulations will be replaced. I will remove them.”
The president argued that excessive bureaucracy is slowing down Indonesia’s transition into a modern, advanced economy. He emphasized the urgency of reform, warning that entrenched officials who resist change would be replaced by younger, more agile professionals ready to lead.
“There are so many young people waiting for an opportunity,” he said. “We must break the old mindset—‘if it can be made difficult, why make it easy?’ That way of thinking has no place in our beloved republic.”
Prabowo also used the forum to encourage foreign investment in Indonesia’s oil and gas sector, stating that the government is preparing to open dozens of oil and gas blocks to the international market.
“In the energy sector, our direction is clear. We understand that our energy potential is enormous,” he stated. “I received a report on dozens of oil and gas blocks ready to be offered at scale. So once again, I urge our regulatory bodies: simplify the regulations.”
His remarks come as part of a broader push to revamp Indonesia’s investment climate, reduce red tape, and accelerate national energy development—key components of Prabowo’s economic agenda.
