REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The government has involved the national police to secure the construction of power plants, which will produce 35 thousand megawatts (MW) of electricity.

"We are involved in the process of securing the construction of the power plants including during the procurement phase," National Police's Detective Corps Chief Comr Gen. Budi Waseso stated here on Thursday.

Waseso noted that the police have been involved to prevent problems that can hinder the implementation of the project.

"Potential problems such as land acquisition and corruption can arise during the implementation of the program," he pointed out.

It is expected that the law enforcement officers will help to secure the project from the beginning, Waseso stated.

He remarked that the police will communicate with other institutions such as the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) to oversee the construction of the power plants.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) led a limited cabinet meeting to discuss the development of power plants, which will produce 35 thousand MW of electricity.

"I want to hear the report on a 35 thousand MW power plant construction project from the energy and mineral resources minister, state-owned enterprises minister, and PLN president director," Jokowi noted during the meeting at the Presidential Office here on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, PLN President Director Sofyan Basir, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Indroyono Susilo, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Sofyan Djalil, and National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said, State Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Deputy Finance Minister Mardiasmo, and Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya also attended the meeting.

In May, President Jokowi launched a program to build power plants to produce 35 thousand MW of electricity.

The 35 thousand MW power plant construction project is expected to be realized within the next five years in 240 locations across Indonesia.

The program will require an investment worth Rp 110 trillion.

The president strongly believes that the project will support Indonesia to achieve energy independence.

Jokowi pointed out that in the past 70 years, Indonesia had only managed to build plants, with a combined capacity of 50 thousand MW of electricity.

"I am optimistic that the project can be realized," the president emphasized.

The president affirmed that management of the state-owned electricity company (PLN) has been revamped, and the licensing process will be simplified.

"If there is a problem regarding land acquisition, please report the matter to the governor who will help to solve the problem," Jokowi added.

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