Pomala –

Minister responsible for the coordination of maritime affairs and investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan spoke about himself giving 4 investment terms to the President of the United States (US) Special Envoy for Climate Issues, John Kerry.

This incident occurred while they were both discussing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) or Energy Transition Partnership regarding early retirement cofiring.

“I gave them 3 conditions, and I was the one who gave them the conditions. I said, ‘Pak John, there are three criteria you need to consider to finalize this deal,'” Luhut said. in his remarks at Block Groundbreaking Ceremony Pomalaa, Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, Sunday (27/11/2022).

The first requirement, Luhut said, is that whatever the United States proposes regarding this deal, it must not distort or disrupt Indonesia’s economic growth. Otherwise, Luhut firmly stated that he would refuse.

“So whatever the proposal, if your suggestion disrupts our already good economic growth, I definitely disagree. You want to report wherever you are. I disagree,” Luhut said.

Secondly, he also let Kerry know that any technology offered must be affordable. Luhut also mentioned that RI’s electricity tariff is priced at around 5-6 cents or the equivalent of Rp. 785-942 per kWh (exchange rate of Rp. 157).

“Third, I said let it be timely, let it be the right time. If your technology comes in 10 years, we will have been everywhere,” Luhut said.

Then, Luhut said, there was a fourth condition, namely regarding earned interest. He also asked Kerry to provide interest at the same rate as for developed countries.

“So don’t be interested in developing countries. We have to create our own because we are in a strong position,” he said.

“I asked Rahmat, if it doesn’t happen (the deal), what happens? ‘No problem, sir’. So if it doesn’t, then he doesn’t there’s no problem? ‘Nothing,'” Luhut said, while mimicking Rahmat’s response.

From this incident, Luhut stressed that it is important for Indonesia to know its current position. According to him, RI must know his negotiating position for the sake of negotiations as in this case.

“Remember, we have to know who we are. After China, India, America, after that Indonesia. In terms of population, Indonesia. And remember our middle class is 60 million of people. We have almost all the necessary minerals in this world today,” he said.

(dna/dna)