TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian government will prioritize local residents for employment in the Abadi Masela liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, a national strategic project located in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the government has begun preparing local communities to work in the oil and gas sector through education and training programs.
"Some children from the region have been sent to study in Cepu at the Energy and Mineral Polytechnic (Akamigas), which is under the Energy Ministry. They will all be absorbed into the Masela Block project," Bahlil said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abadi Masela LNG project in Maluku on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as broadcast live on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
Bahlil, who also chairs the Golkar Party, said local talent would be prioritized in the recruitment of professional workers for the project. Recruitment from other regions or overseas would only be considered if additional expertise is needed.
"We will prioritize local professionals first, including those in tier-one and tier-two positions. We must ensure that local communities are not left behind when investment comes in," he said.
During the construction phase, the Masela Block project is expected to employ around 12,000 direct workers. Including indirect jobs, the project could generate employment for up to 36,000 people, according to Bahlil.
Once operational, the LNG facility is projected to employ around 1,000 workers.
In addition to local labor, Bahlil said local businesses and entrepreneurs would also be given priority in supporting the project's development.
"Local entrepreneurs must be prioritized. This is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directive," he said.
The Abadi Masela LNG project is being developed by INPEX Masela Ltd., in partnership with Pertamina and Petronas, with an estimated investment value of US$20.9 billion.
The project is designed to produce 9.5 million tonnes of LNG annually, supply 150 million standard cubic feet per day of domestic pipeline gas, and produce around 35,000 barrels of condensate per day to support Indonesia's energy needs.
The Masela Block is also Indonesia's first LNG project to integrate carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology from the development stage.
As of early July 2026, front-end engineering design (FEED) progress had reached 79.56 percent, exceeding initial targets. Key permits and the design of major facilities are also progressing on schedule ahead of the project's final investment decision (FID), which is expected by the end of 2026.
President Prabowo Subianto officially launched the construction phase of the long-delayed project on Thursday, marking a major milestone after nearly three decades of planning.
"We have been waiting for this project for almost three decades, across three administrations. The people have waited for nearly 30 years. Thank God, today we begin construction," Prabowo said in a virtual address from the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
"The construction must not be delayed. It must be completed as quickly as possible," he added.
Prabowo emphasized that energy security is vital for a nation's survival and said Indonesia must maximize its abundant energy resources for the benefit of its people.
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