Jakarta – A civil society coalition comprising various organizations and communities including Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, Enter Nusantara, and Fossil Free UKI staged a peaceful protest at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout in Central Jakarta on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
The demonstration was part of public efforts to monitor the ongoing selection process for stakeholder members (APK) of the National Energy Council (DEN) for the 2026–2030 term. Mouna Wasef, Head of Research and Advocacy at PWYP Indonesia, criticized the composition of DEN stakeholder representatives for the 2020–2025 term as being non-inclusive, particularly highlighting the lack of women’s representation.
The only female stakeholder representative currently serving on the DEN was appointed as a substitute midway through the term in 2023. This, Mouna said, reflects the male-dominated nature of the energy sector. “Women continue to be sidelined from institutions involved in energy governance. Therefore, in this DEN selection, PWYP Indonesia is pushing for a 30% quota for women in the stakeholder member seats ideally, two or three out of the eight,” she told Tempo on June 22, 2025.
PWYP Indonesia is also calling for the appointment of progressive and transformative stakeholder members who can help the country achieve its renewable energy target of 23% by 2030. The current DEN still operates with a fossil-fuel-oriented mindset, as evidenced by the revision of the National Energy Policy (KEN), which lowered the renewable energy target from 23% to just 17–19% by 2025.
“The failure to meet renewable energy targets is partly due to various policies issued by technical ministries. However, DEN should be playing a stronger oversight role in cross-sectoral energy policy implementation, as mandated by Law No. 30 of 2007 on Energy,” said Mouna.
She emphasized that the protest was part of a broader public monitoring campaign for the selection process, which civil society views as critical to the future of national energy policy. The demonstrators carried five key demands that reflect the civil society coalition’s expectations for the DEN selection process. According to Mouna, the goal is to ensure that the selection is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the urgent need for a just and sustainable energy transition.
“We want DEN members who can meet the challenges of a just energy transition and support policies in line with the global shift toward sustainable energy,” she said.
The Five Civil Society Demands
- Commitment to a Just Energy Transition
The first demand stresses the importance of selecting stakeholder candidates who are committed to driving a just energy transition. Protesters rejected candidates who continue to support Indonesia’s dependence on fossil fuels and instead urged that national energy policies align with global targets such as achieving net-zero emissions (NZE) by 2060 or earlier.
Mouna explained that “DEN candidates who support this transition must prioritize access to clean energy for remote communities and vulnerable groups, promote low-carbon technologies, and ensure that socioeconomic impacts like the relocation of fossil industry workers are addressed inclusively.” - Freedom from Conflicts of Interest
The second demand calls for a selection process free from conflicts of interest. Civil society urged that DEN candidates should not have political affiliations or ties to corporate interests, to ensure that those selected can perform their duties independently and in the public interest. - Progressive Vision for Energy Transition
The third demand focuses on the vision of the candidates. Protesters emphasized the need for a forward-thinking outlook, especially as Indonesia remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. They stressed the importance of selecting DEN members with a strong commitment to accelerating a fair and just energy transition.
“As we know, the share of renewable energy in the national mix was still stuck at 14.1% in 2024 far short of the 23% target for 2025, which has now been downgraded to just 17–19%. We need DEN figures, especially from the stakeholder representatives, with a progressive vision to accelerate this transition,” Mouna said. - Women’s Representation
The fourth demand highlights the need for gender inclusion in the DEN. The protestors insisted that the selection process must adhere to principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination, and accommodate the interests of women and other marginalized groups. They urged the implementation of a 30% gender quota for stakeholder representatives.
“The selection of DEN members must ensure that the interests of women and vulnerable groups are taken into account. That’s why we’re pushing for a 30% quota at least 3 out of 8 stakeholder seats should be held by women,” Mouna explained. - Transparency and Public Participation
The final demand stresses the importance of transparency and public participation in the selection process. Protesters called for an open and accountable process, with opportunities for meaningful public input.
“Just as important is that the Selection Committee and the House of Representatives (DPR) guarantee a transparent and accountable process that actively involves public participation,” Mouna said.
The National Energy Council is a state institution mandated to formulate and oversee national energy policy. DEN is responsible for developing the National Energy Policy (KEN), establishing the National Energy General Plan (RUEN), and initiating actions during energy crises or emergencies.
For the 2026–2030 term, eight stakeholder members will be selected, representing academia, industry, technology experts, environmental advocates, and consumer groups. According to Article 13 of Law No. 30 of 2007 on Energy, these members will be elected by the House of Representatives (DPR) through a selection process involving a selection committee.
Source: Tempo