Jakarta, June 27, 2022 – The Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center (PYC) held a Soft Launch and Book Review event for the book “Politik Energi: Teori dan Aplikasi” (Energy Politics: Theory and Application) as part of the celebration of PYC’s 6th anniversary. The event was conducted virtually and opened by Filda C. Yusgiantoro, Chairwoman of PYC. The book was reviewed by Djoko Siswanto (Secretary General of the National Energy Council), Kardaya Warnika (Member of Commission XI, Indonesian House of Representatives), Hikmahanto Juwana (Rector of Jenderal Achmad Yani University), and Akhmad Hanan (Researcher at Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center), with I Dewa Made Raditya Margenta (Researcher at Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center) as the moderator.
Professor Purnomo Yusgiantoro wrote “Politik Energi: Teori dan Aplikasi” to enrich knowledge in both theoretical and practical aspects of the energy sector, providing a holistic understanding. This book complements the author’s previous work on Energy Economics: Theory and Application.
In her opening remarks, Filda stated that PYC views a think tank as having a role and responsibility in advancing scientific knowledge, echoing Purnomo’s memorable motto: “Education is a powerful bridge for one to make a change.” The book was written based on the author’s knowledge and experience as a policymaker, and it is hoped that the book will help students, academics, practitioners, planners, and policymakers enrich their knowledge of energy politics from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
The first reviewer, Hikmahanto Juwana, Rector of Jenderal Achmad Yani University, praised the book for being comprehensive in its discussion of energy, written specifically in the context of Indonesia. He noted that if translated, the book could serve as a reference not only for Indonesian researchers and the public but also for international audiences. Hikmahanto also pointed out that the book addresses many energy issues in Indonesia, making it a valuable resource for understanding the country’s energy challenges.
The second reviewer, Kardaya Warnika, Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, emphasized that the book is Purnomo’s contribution to practitioners, policymakers, as well as students and researchers in the energy field. It covers legislation and regulations in the energy context to achieve national energy goals.
The third reviewer, Djoko Siswanto, Secretary General of the National Energy Council (DEN), highlighted that the book includes historical background, accurate data, and well-analyzed content, making it engaging for readers. The book also touches on the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, providing valuable insights for developing a roadmap towards Net Zero Emission.
The fourth reviewer, Akhmad Hanan, a researcher at Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center, stated that this book on energy politics could become a new reference for practitioners, the public, and academics. The book covers issues from the micro to the macro levels in the energy sector. Hanan further noted that the book is practical and examines many energy-related issues, making it a must-read for those who wish to delve deeper into the energy sector.
Also in attendance was Professor Subroto, Indonesia’s Minister of Mining and Energy from 1978 to 1988. He noted that energy issues are crucial for development. He explained that energy challenges are evolving rapidly, both nationally and globally, as emphasized by the president. Effective communication between the legislative body and the public is essential, and people need to be educated about energy. Energy can no longer be considered cheap, but it must be provided in a way that aligns with people’s ability to pay. The key is to enhance the public’s ability to afford energy, which will inevitably continue to increase in cost.
The event concluded with remarks from the author, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, who expressed his gratitude and stated that the book will be revised based on feedback from the reviewers. He specifically acknowledged and thanked Mr. Subroto for his input. Regarding energy subsidies, Purnomo explained that this book complements his earlier work Energy Economics: Theory and Application, which discusses energy from an economic perspective, while the current book approaches the subject from a political angle. On the topic of Net Zero Emissions, Purnomo clarified that it involves balancing CO2 emissions with CO2 absorption. He also emphasized that energy supports national defense, as energy resources are crucial for defense, while national defense protects energy reserves.
