Jakarta, June 25 -- Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said the government is preparing to roll out the E20 bioethanol program as part of efforts to reduce fuel imports.

"We must do a conversion in order to reduce imports. If B50 can meet our needs, why not with gasoline?" he said during his speech at the 2026 Indef Mid-Year Review National Seminar on Thursday.

According to him, current gasoline demand reaches 40 million kiloliters, while domestic production reaches 20 million kiloliters, leaving a 20 million kiloliters gap.

Bahlil said that although domestic oil lifting has yet to meet national demand, gasoline imports must be kept to a minimum to avoid placing additional strain on the state budget.

Ther...