Indonesia’s MoFA: APSA Reinforces ASEAN Regional Energy Preparedness

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ratification process of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA) is still ongoing in each ASEAN member state in accordance with their respective national mechanisms. Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, stated that APSA is not intended to permanently designate certain countries as contributors or recipients of energy assistance.

According to her, the agreement is more focused on strengthening regional preparedness in facing potential disruptions to energy supplies.

“So, the APSA discussion is not intended to permanently decide which country will become a contributor or recipient, but rather to strengthen preparedness in facing potential energy supply disruptions,” Yvonne said after a joint press statement by Indonesia and Singapore in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

She also explained that APSA is a collective effort by ASEAN member states to improve energy resilience in Southeast Asia through stronger intergovernmental coordination. Under APSA principles, ASEAN member states may decide to request or provide energy assistance voluntarily in the event of an oil crisis in the region.

“And based on a commercial basis, of course, according to the capabilities of each member state,” she added. Earlier, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn confirmed that the APSA ratification process is targeted to be completed before the 49th ASEAN Summit in November 2026. He said officials from member states had received instructions from ASEAN leaders to accelerate the completion of the ratification process.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, proposed Indonesia as the location for the development of a Southeast Asian oil storage hub. Bahlil said Indonesia plans to cooperate with Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines in realizing the proposed ASEAN oil storage hub project.