Suroso Isnandar replaces Darmawan Prasodjo as PLN moves to strengthen electricity services.
Indonesia has replaced the head of state-owned electricity company PLN following a 16-hour blackout that affected more than 411,000 customers in Batam. The leadership change comes as authorities seek to improve electricity reliability and service quality.
PLN Gets New Chief Executive
State-owned electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) appointed Suroso Isnandar as its new president director, replacing Darmawan Prasodjo, at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on October 14. Darmawan had led PLN since December 2021. Suroso will temporarily retain his previous position as director of project management and new and renewable energy until a replacement is appointed.
Danantara Links Change to Service Improvements
Danantara, Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund and PLN’s controlling shareholder, said it was pursuing management changes and service improvements following the Batam blackout. The fund also announced that PLN Batam would come directly under its management to support business development, strengthen electricity services, and improve the island’s attractiveness to investors.
More Than 411,000 Customers Affected
The Batam outage began early on October 12 and affected more than 411,000 customers. The disruption extended beyond household electricity, affecting water supplies and telecommunications across the island, which has a population of about 1.3 million.
Rolling Blackouts Continued After Restoration
Most services had been restored by October 13, although PLN Batam continued implementing rolling blackouts on October 14 because electricity demand exceeded available capacity. On October 14, Suroso Isnandar said electricity supplies in Batam had been fully restored, while recovery was continuing in parts of Bintan.
Suroso Brings Decades of PLN Experience
Suroso has worked at PLN for more than 30 years, holding positions including general manager and vice president of system planning, according to his LinkedIn profile. He studied electrical engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology and earned a master’s degree in power system engineering and management from Abertay University in Scotland.
The leadership change puts greater attention on electricity reliability in Batam following a blackout that disrupted power, water, and telecommunications. For Indonesians, particularly residents and businesses in Batam, the response will be closely tied to expectations for more reliable services. For Singaporeans, developments are also relevant because Batam is a nearby tourism destination and an export-oriented manufacturing and data center hub with economic links to the region.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Batam Blackout, PLN CEO Replacement, Suroso Isnandar, Darmawan Prasodjo, Batam Electricity, Danantara
