Jakarta, June 20, 2025 – Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia held a media dialogue to monitor the ongoing selection process for members of the National Energy Council (DEN) from stakeholder representatives (APK). The event, themed “Promoting Transparency and Inclusivity in the Selection of National Energy Council Members for a Just Energy Transition,” took place in Central Jakarta on June 20, 2025.
The dialogue featured civil society representatives as speakers, including Khotimun Susanti (Daily Coordinator of LBH APIK Association – Women’s Coalition for JET), Mikewati Vera Tangka (Secretary General of the Indonesian Women’s Coalition), Grita Anindarini (Senior Strategist at the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law), Arif Adiputro (Coordinator of the Parliamentary Advocacy Division at the Indonesian Parliamentary Center), and Ahmad Ashov Birry (Spokesperson for the #BersihkanIndonesia Coalition).
The discussion emphasized the need for an inclusive DEN composition, particularly highlighting the importance of women’s representation in a state institution that plays a strategic role in shaping and formulating national energy policies. It also addressed the urgency of reducing fossil fuel reliance within the framework of transitioning to renewable energy, as outlined in the National Energy General Plan (RUEN).
Khotimun and Mikewati expressed disappointment over the previous DEN composition, which lacked any female representation. Women’s inclusion in the DEN only occurred due to an interim replacement (PAW) in 2023, underscoring the perception that energy issues are male-dominated. “The previous DEN selection process had no women. A female representative only joined due to a replacement in 2023. Therefore, in this DEN selection, we are pushing for an affirmative 30 percent quota for women in the DEN membership. With eight APK members, at least two or three should be women,” said Khotimun.
The presence of women in the DEN is deemed critical, especially in advancing a just and inclusive energy transition. Ensuring women’s representation in the institution’s composition is a vital step toward this goal. “We need women in the DEN because the impact of energy policies affects women too. Women can be drivers of change and challenge the notion that energy is a masculine issue. We must promote female candidates with unique perspectives, knowledge, and experiences in the energy sector,” Mikewati emphasized.
Grita further highlighted the DEN’s crucial role in cross-sectoral oversight and shepherding the RUEN. Women’s involvement is essential to ensure the RUEN is not merely technocratic but also considers often-overlooked social and environmental aspects. “Women’s presence is vital to break away from the DEN’s outdated views and culture, which have failed to adopt principles of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion in past policies, such as the recent revision of the National Energy Policy (KEN),” she stated.
The DEN selection process must prioritize APK candidates committed to a transformative energy transition and free from conflicts of interest with extractive industry oligarchs. This underscores the importance of closely monitoring the selection to ensure the energy transition progresses, renewable energy development is prioritized, and women’s representation is secured. “We need progressive and transformative champions in the DEN who reject old paradigms,” said Ashov.
Meanwhile, Arif stressed that the House of Representatives (DPR), particularly Commission XII, must thoroughly review the track records of DEN candidates. As stipulated in Law No. 30 of 2007 on Energy, the eight APK DEN members are selected by the DPR through Commission XII. Moving forward, energy management must prioritize environmental considerations, and the DEN’s composition should reflect this. “Selected APK DEN members must have a strong understanding of environmental issues, not just energy utilization and extraction. We hope the DEN will drive a just energy transition,” he said.
As noted, the DEN member selection process is currently underway for stakeholder representatives (APK). According to Law No. 30 of 2007 on Energy, the eight APK members are chosen by the DPR, specifically Commission XII.