Tantangan Hilirisasi di Era Transisi

Penunjukan Bahlil sebagai Menteri Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal (BKPM) dalam pembentukan Kabinet Indonesia Maju jilid 2 cukup mengejutkan. Sebelumnya, reputasi BKPM diwarnai oleh tokoh-tokoh pengusaha dan investor global, seperti Gita Wirjawan, Muhammad Lutfi, dan Chatib Basri. BKPM merupakan wajah utama investasi di Indonesia, dengan fokus pada kemudahan berusaha.

Pendekatan Bahlil dan Kinerja BKPM

Bahlil’s appointment raised eyebrows as the ministry was previously led by prominent figures with strong global business and economic backgrounds. BKPM serves as the front line for investments in Indonesia, emphasizing ease of doing business.

• Bahlil’s Approach: Bahlil’s leadership at BKPM showcased remarkable performance, with progressive investment achievements over the past five years. He emphasized the need for managing resources at the grassroots level to ensure smooth investment processes.

• Investment Figures: By 2023, Indonesia saw a significant increase in investments, reaching Rp 1,418.9 trillion under Bahlil’s stewardship. His focus on on-the-ground resource management alongside regulatory facilitation set him apart.

• Language of Management: Bahlil humorously remarked that the key for a BKPM Minister lies not only in English proficiency and global relations but also in effectively managing resources to ensure unhindered investments.

Singapore’s Investment Standing and Indonesia’s Progress

Singapore has long held the top spot in investment values in Indonesia, leveraging its position as a financial hub in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, under President Joko Widodo’s government, aimed to attract investments by ensuring long-term security and market potential.

• Ease of Doing Business: Indonesia’s rise in the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) index, from 144 in 2015 to 73 in 2023, reflected positively on Joko Widodo’s administration, although there’s room for improvement compared to other ASEAN countries.

Advances in Mining and Smelting Investments

• Nickel Focus: Indonesia’s significant investments in mining and smelting, particularly in nickel in regions like Southeast Sulawesi and North Maluku, marked a success under Joko Widodo’s leadership.

• EU Concerns: The EU raised concerns over Indonesia’s nickel trade restrictions and the dominance of Chinese investments in downstream nickel processing.

Challenges and Opportunities in Chinese Investments

• Technology Transfer: Chinese investors, dominating the downstream nickel market, focused on practicality, leading to debates on technology transfers and local workforce absorption.

Diversification Efforts and Multi-commodity Downstreaming

• Indonesia’s Blueprint: BKPM’s 2023 blueprint aimed at comprehensive downstreaming across multiple commodities, including minerals, coal, oil & gas, plantations, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

• Game Changer: Downstreaming initiatives were crucial for Indonesia’s path to becoming a developed nation, emphasizing the importance of industry amid global economic challenges.

Ongoing Challenges and the Role of New Leadership

• Three Key Priorities: The new Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, along with the wider cabinet under President Prabowo Subianto, faces the critical tasks of energy sovereignty and national balance of payments. Focus areas include oil and gas downstreaming, gas utilization, and coal downstreaming for cleaner energy production.

• Environmental Concerns: Amid climate change discussions, the conversion of coal to cleaner energy sources like DME (dimethyl ether) and hydrogen remains a focal point for sustainable energy practices.

• Potential Game Changers: Commercial initiatives in utilizing Indonesia’s vast coal reserves for high-value products and integrating hydrogen production in the national energy plan could reshape the country’s energy landscape.

Continued Hopes and Challenges Ahead

• Environmental Sustainability: Balancing economic growth with environmental impact and ensuring long-term economic sustainability through diversified downstream industries remains a critical focus for Indonesia’s future.

• Leadership Transition: As the government transitions to a new phase, the tactical implementation of downstreaming plans and a strong focus on environmental conservation will be pivotal for community welfare and real economic growth across regions.

By Hafidz Arfandi, Researcher at the Sustainability Learning Center & Member of HIMPI Jaya Class of 2024.

Original Source in Bahasa Indonesia