On Friday, (14/11/2025), the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through the Natural Resources Governance Studies (NRGS), successfully hosted a National Seminar titled “Legal Aspects of Natural Gas Industry Practices in the Energy Transition Era” at the Auditorium of Building B, Faculty of Law UGM. This event was part of the 79th Anniversary Celebration of the Faculty of Law UGM. The seminar was attended by various legal practitioners, representatives from government institutions, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and the private sector, including Mr. Yapit Sapta Putra, S.E., M.M. from the Regulatory Agency for Downstream Oil and Gas (BPH Migas) and Dr. Didik Sasono Setyadi, S.H., M.H., Chairman of the Association of Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy Law Practitioners (APHMET).
This National Seminar was a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Law UGM, NRGS, and BASE to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation in natural gas industry practices during the energy transition era.
The event began with opening remarks from Dr. Heribertus Jaka Triyana, S.H., LL.M., M.A., Vice Dean for Research, Community Engagement, and Information Systems at the Faculty of Law UGM, followed by a speech from Mr. Jou Samuel Hutajulu, S.H., M.H., Chairman of BASE. The seminar then proceeded with keynote presentations from three distinguished speakers, comprising both academics and practitioners: 1. Prof. Dr. Mailinda Eka Yuniza, S.H., LL.M., Professor of Administrative Law at the Faculty of Law UGM; 2. Dr. Sampe L. Purba, S.E., Ak., CA., M.Com., S.H., M.H., Expert Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (2019-2023); and 3. Mr. Deny Rijadi, S.H., LL.M., Chairman of the Energy Transition Committee, Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA).
Prof. Dr. Mailinda Eka Yuniza highlighted the need for a comprehensive legal framework and derivative regulations, particularly in terms of standardization, pricing, carbon taxation, and carbon import/export policies. She emphasized that such regulations would help accelerate Indonesia’s energy transition through technical and economic strategies. Dr. Sampe L. Purba elaborated on the various disputes commonly arising in the energy sector, particularly in the natural gas industry. He underlined that natural gas plays a crucial role in supporting Indonesia’s energy transition. Additionally, he stressed the importance of geopolitical and geostrategic factors in shaping Indonesia’s energy policies, emphasizing the need for effective dispute resolution mechanisms in the energy industry.
Deny Rijadi focused on the investment attractiveness of the natural gas industry, which depends on several key factors, including a business-friendly environment, efficient bureaucracy, simplified licensing processes, legal certainty, and harmonized regulations. He also noted that contractual flexibility is essential for fostering investment. Furthermore, he emphasized that global capital competition requires investors to prioritize low-carbon initiatives for energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
Following the presentations, Andika Putra, S.H., M.H., LL.M., lecturer at the Department of Environmental Law, Faculty of Law UGM, and a member of NRGS, moderated an interactive discussion session, allowing participants to engage in in-depth dialogue and expand their professional networks in the legal and energy sectors.
This National Seminar, jointly organized by NRGS and BASE, was sponsored by several prominent law firms and organizations, including MacalloHarlin Mendrofa Advocates (MHMS Advocates), Romulo Silaen and Partners, FKNK, UMBRA Strategic Law Solution, Jonathan Tampubolon and Partners, JT Asyer Law Firm, and Soesilo Aribowo & Partners Law Office. This event served as a strategic platform for fostering collaboration and building connections among legal and energy professionals in Indonesia, especially in navigating the challenges of the energy transition era.
