Prabowo Launches Biodiesel B50, Citing SBY and Jokowi's Contributions

President Prabowo Subianto officially launched Indonesia's mandatory Biodiesel B50 program on Thursday, July 9, marking a significant step towards strengthening national energy independence and reducing dependence on fuel imports. The program mandates the use of biodiesel with a 50% palm oil-based biofuel content.

During the launch ceremony at a rest area on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, Prabowo emphasized the program's continuity, stating it was initiated during the era of former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and continued under President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) before its implementation under his administration. "This is also an achievement of the governments before me, because we have planned this since 2008. That was the SBY administration, continued by the Jokowi administration, and I am continuing it at the end. It's like a relay race," Prabowo remarked.

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This is also an achievement of the governments before me, because we have planned this since 2008. That was the SBY administration, continued by the Jokowi administration, and I am continuing it at the end. It's like a relay race.

He stressed the importance of policy continuity for national development, urging all parties to respect the foundations laid by previous administrations. Prabowo also called for unity and an end to mutual criticism, stating, "Don't curse, don't insult people, let alone slander. There will always be Pandawas and Kurawas [characters from the Mahabharata epic, representing good and evil]. Some choose the evil path, some choose the good path. We are on the straight path, on the right path."

With the implementation of Biodiesel B50, Indonesia becomes the first country globally to enforce a mandatory biodiesel program with such a high percentage of palm oil-based biofuel. Prabowo hailed this achievement as a crucial milestone for national energy independence and expressed hope for further advancements in biodiesel development in the future. The government has conducted comprehensive testing of B50 across six sectors: automotive, agricultural machinery, mining heavy equipment, sea transportation, power generation, and railways.

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Don't curse, don't insult people, let alone slander. There will always be Pandawas and Kurawas. Some choose the evil path, some choose the good path. We are on the straight path, on the right path.