Jakarta: Indonesia will lower the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplied to industrial users to US$13 (US$1=RM4.08) per million British thermal units (MMBTU), from around US$20 to US$23 per MMBTU currently paid by industries. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced the decision following a government coordination meeting aimed at addressing the impact of geopolitical developments on the national economy, specifically the gas sector.According to Nam News Network, the government reached this decision after receiving input over the past 10 days from the ceramics industry association, several other industries, and the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI). These stakeholders highlighted concerns regarding the sustainability of jobs and the need for competitive gas pricing. Initially, the industry proposed a price of around US$15-US$16 per MMBTU. However, after further calculations and discussions with the president, the price was set at US$13 per MMBTU.Minister Bahlil noted that LNG prices had increased to between US$20 and US$23 per MMBTU due to a decline in gas production in western Java. Consequently, industries in West Java, Banten, and Jakarta had come to depend on LNG transported from regions such as Papua, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan. The logistics involved in transporting, regasifying, and distributing LNG through pipelines contributed to the increased cost for industries.Despite these challenges, Bahlil assured that Indonesia's gas lifting operations remain aligned with the state budget target, eliminating the need for gas imports. Additionally, he mentioned that gas prices under the government's Certain Natural Gas Price (HGBT) scheme would remain between US$6.5 and US$7 per MMBTU, while pipeline gas supplied to industries outside this scheme would be maintained at US$9.6 per MMBTU.