Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia explains his report on Aceh's electricity percentage to President Prabowo Subianto, based on PLN data, despite accusations of lying due to discrepancies with field conditions. Electricity restoration in Central Aceh begins gradually after 13 days of blackout following floods and landslides. Unexpected technical issues caused PLN's targets to miss.
Jakarta – Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia responds to accusations of giving a false report to President Prabowo Subianto regarding electricity restoration in Aceh after the disaster. In a limited meeting that night, Bahlil conveyed the report based on PLN data stating the electrification ratio would reach 93 percent at the latest on Monday, December 8, 2025.
"Yes, first, we understand the feelings of our brothers and sisters still in the disaster. Actually, that night was a ratas, where before the ratas I had a meeting with PLN and Pertamina," Bahlil said on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
He emphasized that the report came from PLN, which handles the technical aspects. "And at that time, PLN reported to me that the electrification ratio would be on the 7th, Sunday night, Monday at the latest reaching 93 percent," he continued. This report was then presented in the disaster team and to the president, also directly by PLN.
However, on the ground, electricity restoration in Central Aceh District only began lighting up on Monday night, December 8, after 13 days of total blackout due to floods and landslides. Residents like Dimas expressed gratitude despite it not being optimal: electricity on at night, off in the morning, and on again in the afternoon until night, then off midnight until Wednesday afternoon. "Alhamdulillah, electricity started lighting up last night, Monday the 8th. But it seems not optimal yet," Dimas said.
Head of PLN Takengon, Muhammad Furqan, stated that infrastructure damage reached 40 percent in Central Aceh, and full recovery depends on repairing the sutet tower on the Bireuen-Takengon route. Bahlil urged the public not to blame each other: "But let's not blame anyone, because actually if there were no obstacles in the electrification part, in the substation from Bireuen to Banda Aceh, it would be clear, but of course the conditions are hard to predict."
President Prabowo previously visited disaster refugee tents in Aceh, where the electricity restoration report was given.
