Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia expressed no objections to the TNI guarding Pertamina's oil refineries to prevent sabotage. This follows instructions from Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, set to begin in December 2025. Analysts view it as a sign of President Prabowo Subianto's seriousness in eradicating the oil mafia.
On Thursday, November 27, 2025, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia commented on plans for Indonesian National Army (TNI) personnel to guard oil refineries across various regions. Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta, he stated, "No problem, better than people sabotaging it." Bahlil emphasized the need for collaboration among state institutions to secure vital assets. "I think all state institutions must collaborate to secure things that are important for the national interest," he said.
Earlier, on November 25, 2025, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin instructed the TNI to guard oil refineries and terminals owned by PT Pertamina (Persero). This is part of strengthening Territorial Development Battalions in Indonesian regions. Sjafrie explained, "Guarding strategic industries related to national sovereignty. For example, Pertamina's refineries and terminals, this is also an inseparable part of our strength." The guarding will be carried out by Indonesian Army (TNI AD) personnel and monitored by the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). The assignment begins in December 2025 to anticipate potential threats.
Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), Dedi Kurnia Syah, views President Prabowo Subianto's step as a comprehensive effort to eradicate the oil mafia. On November 26, 2025, Dedi said, "Assigning the military to guard oil refineries marks the President's high trust in the TNI... This also marks the President's seriousness in fighting the oil mafia." He noted that the oil mafia has existed since the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) era and across administrations, including Jokowi and Prabowo. Dedi added that involving the TNI shows vigilance against mafia networks possibly within the government structure. "Eradicating the oil mafia must be done by all parties... the involvement of the TNI proves the President is vigilant and serious in rooting out the mafia," he emphasized.
This move is seen as strategic to safeguard national energy sovereignty amid sabotage threats and mafia influences disrupting oil and gas policies.