* President says onshore plan to bring more economic benefits
* Unclear if Inpex, Shell will be involved in new plan
* Onshore facility to be built in eastern province of Maluku
By Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Fergus Jensen
JAKARTA, March 23 Indonesia’s president on Wednesday rejected Inpex Corp and Royal Dutch Shell’s proposal to build the world’s largest floating liquefied natural gas plant in the country’s east, saying an onshore plant would benefit its economy more.
The announcement is a blow to the two energy firms, as well as to Indonesia’s energy regulator (SKKMigas), which warned last week that rejecting the $15 billion plan to process gas from the Masela field offshore would lead to delays and job cuts.