Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
Critique of the 2025 energy transition roadmap: the fallacy of techno-financial logic behind coal fired power plant (PLTU) closures
This report critically examines Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 10 of 2025 on the Energy Transition Roadmap for the Electricity Sector, particularly its provisions on ending the operation of coal-fired power plants (PLTUs). It identifies a number of normative, methodological, and institutional weaknesses that instead hinder the acceleration of the energy transition. The roadmap was drafted with minimal public participation and low transparency, while positioning PLN as the dominant actor in studies on the early retirement of PLTUs—a situation that
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How much do consumers lose from adulterated Pertamax? A recap of consumer complaints and consumer loss modeling
CELIOS and LBH Jakarta have released a report titled “How Much Do Consumers Lose from Adulterated Pertamax? A Recap of Consumer Complaints and Consumer Loss Modeling,” revealing the scale of the losses suffered by the public as a result of suspected fuel adulteration. The study documents consumers’ real-life experiences while also modeling the resulting economic impacts. Its findings show that the losses are not only felt by individuals but also affect the national economy. These findings revea
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Legal issues and risks in the regulation of the establishment of Danantara
CELIOS has just released a Brief Analysis on various legal issues in the regulations governing the Investment Management Agency (BPI) Danantara. As a newly established super-holding entity created under Law No. 1 of 2025 and Government Regulation No. 10 of 2025, Danantara’s presence raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, weak regulation, and a lack of oversight mechanisms. CELIOS’ findings highlight several critical issues: ministers holding dual positions, which could violate the State Ministry Law, losses
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100-day report of the Prabowo-Gibran Cabinet: Performance, challenges, and expectations
The Prabowo-Gibran administration has officially completed its first 100 days in office. CELIOS conducted a cabinet performance evaluation using expert judgment, involving 95 journalists from 44 reputable media outlets. The study found that President Prabowo received a score of 5 out of 10, while Vice President Gibran scored just 3 out of 10. Overall, performance was considered inadequate, with political promises only partially fulfilled and budget management considered poor by more than half of respondents. Some...
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PSN eroding special autonomy and the rights of Indigenous Papuans: Land grabbing in the name of food and energy self-sufficiency
The National Strategic Project (PSN) for the Merauke Food and Energy Development Area in South Papua has raised serious concerns about agrarian governance. A CELIOS report titled “PSN Eroding Special Autonomy and the Rights of Indigenous Papuans” reveals that regional expansion through revisions to the Papua Special Autonomy Law has facilitated land grabbing from Indigenous communities as a result of a deliberate legal vacuum in spatial planning. “This shows that regional expansion through revisions to the Special Autonomy Law…
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Energy transition and deforestation: how regulations facilitate the escalation of agrarian conflicts
The Indonesian government continues to promote biomass development as an alternative to fossil fuels, including through Energy Plantation Forests (HTE), which are planned to be included in PLN’s Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) and the Draft Law on New and Renewable Energy (RUU EBET). Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS, noted that “the significant demand for wood pellets for co-firing at coal-fired power plants (PLTU) is not only for domestic use but also for export, including to Japan. The largest buyers of Indonesian wood pellets are Japan and South Korea, at 10 million tons and 64 million tons respectively.”
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The urgency of revising Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022, Article 3, Paragraph 4b: ensuring the safety of the people and environment of Indonesia
Indonesia’s ambitious steps under Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022 remain insufficient to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. A critical loophole lies in Article 3, Paragraph 4b, which still allows the construction of new coal-fired power plants for industrial use, even though industrial/captive coal capacity already accounts for nearly 30% of all operating coal-fired power plants. Revising this regulation is urgent to protect the environment and public safety. Without decisive action, this policy loophole risks undermining
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Amicus curiae: challenging loopholes in university tuition increases and surcharges
In support of the legal challenge against Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 2 of 2024 concerning the Standard Unit Cost for Higher Education Operational Expenses, which has burdened students through increases in Single Tuition Fees (UKT) and the imposition of various additional fees considered unreasonable, CELIOS has submitted an amicus curiae to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. This amicus curiae was prepared to provide an additional perspective based on in-depth analysis of the impact
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Pro-environment gimmicks: a survey of regulatory gaps in natural resource, land, and energy management
Jakarta, June 4, 2024—CELIOS has launched a study titled “Pro-Environment Gimmick: A Survey of Regulatory Gaps in Natural Resource, Agrarian, and Energy Management.” The study’s findings reveal significant gaps between regulations and practices on the ground. Muhammad Dzar Azhari Muthahhar, a CELIOS researcher, emphasized, “58% of respondents stated that mining governance in Indonesia still does not take environmental impacts into account. This runs counter to the obligations of mining business permit holders.”
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Renewable Energy Bill review: energy democracy, the dilemma of fair pricing, and incentives for renewable energy producers
The ongoing discussion of the New and Renewable Energy (EBT) Bill calls for public input. CELIOS, as a research institution, has analyzed provisions in the bill that are considered not to fully support energy democracy. The policy brief finds that large-scale businesses remain the primary consideration in setting EBT prices, the public’s right to affordable, accessible, and sustainable EBT is not concretely guaranteed, and incentive policies are not yet optimal because they are general in scope and not tailored to the characteristics of different businesses.
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The losses from coal downstreaming under the Job Creation Law
Jakarta, 1 February 2023—The Job Creation Law Perpu has raised concerns about negative impacts on the economy, energy security, and the environment, particularly Article 128A, which sets royalties on coal downstreaming at 0%. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira stated, “Assuming total coal production of 666.6 million tons per year, potential royalty losses are estimated at Rp33.8 trillion annually. If the policy remains in effect for the next 20 years, it is estimated that
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Press release: the contradictory Omnibus Law on Job Creation
The government issued Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation on December 30, 2022. CELIOS reviewed and analyzed the Perpu from economic and legal perspectives. In addition, CELIOS emphasized the importance of the government explaining
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