Presidential Instruction on Energy and Water Conservation

In light of the recent decision by the Indonesian government to jack up fuel prices and the impact this decision will have on the masses had been considered earlier and resulted in Presidential Instruction No.2 of 2008 on Energy and Water Conservation. The simple rationale in this Instruction is that if the government is going to ask the community to pay higher prices for energy and water then it is necessary to ensure that the government is also being seen to do its part in conserving these two critical resources as well.

The Instruction is directed to:

1.              All Ministers;

2.              the Attorney General;

3.              Heads of Non-Government Departments;

4.              Chief of the Armed Forces;

5.              Chief of Police;

6.              Heads of State Secretariats;

7.              Governors; and

8.              Regents / Mayors.

The basic requirement is that all those listed above take all necessary steps and innovative methods that are possible within their respective spheres of influence. The Instruction does not stipulate what these steps and innovations must be. Therefore, this is presumably at the discretion of the relevant individuals to determine.

Nevertheless, the primary aim is to reduce energy and water consumption. Therefore, visitors to any of the above institutions should expect to see a reduction in services that draw on electricity or water such as air-conditioning, escalators and lifts, among others. This is to be done in-house with the establishment of “duty clusters” that are to supervise energy and water use and to ensure that conservation is foremost in the minds of employees.

The Instruction provides that the individual Governors, Regents, and Mayors are to socialize this to the general public, including businesses operating in their respective regions.

The Instruction establishes a National Energy and Water Conservation Team whose main task is to develop, compile, and prepare a national policy and strategy with respect to energy and water conservation. The Team is:

Chair:                Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs;

Daily Chair:       Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources;

Members:

1.              Minister of Home Affairs;

2.              Minister of Transport;

3.              Minister of Public Works;

4.              Minister of Agriculture;

5.              State Minister of Administrative Reforms;

6.              State Minister of the Environment;

7.              State Minister of Research and Technology;

8.              State Minister of State Owned Enterprises; and

9.              Head of the Technology Study and Application Board.

Secretary:         Ir. Eddie Widiono Suwondo M.Sc.

The National Team can work with outside expertise as required. This may include experts, academics, or any other individual with requisite knowledge to assist the Team in its work.

The Team is to report to the President every six months.

This Instruction replaces and repeals Presidential Instruction No. 10 of 2005.

The Instruction was issued on 5 May 2008.