Indonesian President Did Not Consult With Energy Ministry When Revoking China-Backed Hydro Permit, Official Says

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2026. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Indonesia’s energy ministry was not consulted before President Prabowo Subianto decided to revoke the permit of a China-backed hydroelectric power plant on the island of Sumatra, an official at the ministry, Eniya Listiani Dewi, said on Thursday.

The government said on Tuesday that it had revoked the permits of 28 firms accused of environmental breaches that worsened last year’s deadly floods in Sumatra.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Eric Olander

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
5 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
6
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors

You Might Like

Myanmar Junta Revives Plans for China-Backed Mega-Dam

Myanmar’s junta has revived plans for a $3.6 billion Chinese-backed dam in the north of the country, which was suspended more than ten years ago following huge public opposition. The project to build ...

Chinese-Built Cross-Frontier Hydro System Inaugurated in Mali

This weekend saw the inauguration of the Gouina Hydroelectric dam and Malinguina hydropower station in Mali. Funded by the China Exim Bank and built by PowerChina, the facilities form ...

Construction to Begin Next Year on Massive Chinese-Financed Hydroelectric Dam in Congo-Brazzaville

Congo-Brazzaville will begin the construction of a major new hydroelectric dam in January 2025, the government said Wednesday. “The government, through the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics, has signed a memorandum of understanding ...

Why the G7’s Energy Offer to the Global South Could Backfire

2023 is on track to be the hottest year in recorded human history. The summer’s record heat waves, fires, and floods come as attempts by U.S. and Chinese lawmakers to restart talks about ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP