Jakarta — The urgency of ensuring women’s representation in the National Energy Council (DEN) has once again been raised by civil society groups. Among them, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia organized a discussion titled Empowering Change: The Urgency of Women’s Representation in the National Energy Council (DEN), held in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on October 29, 2025.
The discussion featured several speakers, including Member of Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Syarif Fasha; Secretary-General of the National Energy Council (DEN) Dadan Kusdiana; Vice President of Human Capital & Business Support at PT Perta Life Insurance–Pertamina Group, Manganarap Rabehka Nathalia; and Executive Director of Kalyanamitra, Ika Agustina.
Head of Research and Advocacy Division at PWYP Indonesia, R. Mouna Wasef, stated that this event is part of a broader advocacy agenda to push for women’s representation among DEN members. Civil society has been monitoring the selection process since the candidate registration opened in May.
“Together with our coalition, PWYP has organized public discussions, campaign actions, and meetings with the selection committee to promote women’s participation and representation among DEN’s stakeholder members. The DEN plays a crucial role in formulating and coordinating national energy policy. We are advocating for a 30 percent quota for women in DEN membership,” she said.
Representing Commission XII of the DPR, Syarif Fasha expressed his support for women’s participation in public decision-making spaces, including DEN. He emphasized that affirmative action should be aligned with competency-based criteria. He also welcomed public input regarding the DPR’s selection of DEN stakeholder members.
According to Law No. 30 of 2007 on Energy, the selection of stakeholder members of DEN is carried out by the DPR. “Political support for stakeholder member candidates (APK) is very important. But if asked whether political support is more important than competence, in DPR we would never propose anyone who lacks competence. Please help us identify qualified candidates. Can women occupy DEN seats? Absolutely. And I’m confident that those who pass the interview stage have the required competence,” he said.
Dadan Kusdiana noted that the DEN candidate screening process has reached the stage of announcing interview results. The council will soon publish the list of successful candidates. He revealed that among the 16 candidates who passed the interview, two are women. “All candidates who pass have demonstrated competence, including the women,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Kalyanamitra emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in decision-making processes, including within DEN—given its direct and indirect role in achieving a just energy transition.
“It is crucial to recognize that the relationship between women and energy remains unequal. Women’s participation matters, as domestic work is closely linked to energy use. Women are agents and actors in advancing a just energy transition,” said Ika Agustina.
As is known, the selection of stakeholder members for the DEN has been ongoing since May. The process has now reached the interview stage. Afterward, the selection committee will announce 16 shortlisted candidates, whose names will then be submitted to the DPR. Based on the Energy Law, the DPR will select eight stakeholder members of DEN from the 16 candidates.
Contacts:
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