Jakarta, March 14 -- President Prabowo Subianto has called on producers and distributors of coal, crude palm oil, and their derivatives to prioritize domestic needs before exporting, signaling tighter controls on commodity exports.

"I would like to stress the need to prioritize coal production for our national need. This directive also applies to palm oil," he said while chairing a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday (March 13).

Addressing ministers and state agency leaders, Prabowo reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that Indonesia's natural wealth benefits the broader public.

He assured the public that national interests underpin every policy governing the management of the country's abunda...