The Masela Decision: A Major Setback

President Joko Widodo's stance on the development of the Masela block in the Arafura Sea, Maluku, could trigger negative sentiment from those wishing to invest in this nation. The government's selection of the onshore refinery option for the gas field shows its inconsistency in building business links with oil and gas contractors.

The President claims that he chose the onshore option because it would be more profitable and would bring greater economic benefits. But this argument is highly debatable because there has been no comprehensive study that reaches those conclusions.