Jakarta. Vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming recently reiterated his calls for Indonesia to stop exporting unprocessed natural resource commodities, including raw minerals.

Gibran took the stage of the fourth election debate in Jakarta on Sunday evening. In his speech, Gibran said that exports of raw materials should stop. The nickel-rich Indonesia should process its resources domestically.

“Indonesia is a large country. We have to be grateful that we are blessed with abundant natural resources. We own the world’s largest nickel reserves. The second-largest tin reserves in the world. That is why we need to continue and further expand our downstream industry development,” Gibran said.

However, such domestic processing policy should not only be limited to the mining sector. It should encompass agriculture and maritime commodities. Gibran also talked of the need to develop the downstream digital industry.

On energy transition, Gibran seeks to boost the use of aviation fuel Bioavtur, biodiesel, and bioethanol. Indonesia has implemented the B35 policy which sees the country using 35 percent of palm oil-based biodiesel blend. There are also plans to raise the blend to 40 percent or B40.

“We will push for energy transition, among others by implementing Bioavtur, biodiesel, and bioethanol,” Gibran said.

“We hold immense renewable energy potential, even reaching 3,686 gigawatts, combining solar power, hydro, wind, bioenergy, and geothermal. We need to push for a pentahelix collaboration,” Gibran said.