ANT, Andin Aditya Rahman
Starting this August, Pertamina will limit the sale of subsidized fuels in certain regions to
meet the quota determined under the 2014 State Budget Amendment(RAPBNP 2014). Under the amendment, the budget allocation for subsidized fuel has been reduced by 2 million kiloliters to 46 million kiloliters from 48 million kiloliters.
“We will implement the limitation on subsidized fuel sales for diesel fuel on 1 August 2014 in Central Jakarta,” stated Ali Mukandir, Pertamina’s Vice President of Communications at Pertamina, in Jakarta last Friday.
Mr. Mukandir also explained that starting 4 August 2014 the sale of subsidized diesel fuel, known as solar at Pertamina petrol stations, will only be available between 8 AM and 6 PM at certain fuel stations in Jawa, Sumatera, Kalimantan, and Bali. This will be implemented in industrial and mining areas, plantations, and areas close to ports.
“Petrol stations located on main roads for logistical distribution will not be subject to the solar sales time restriction,” he said.
Perhaps the most significant issue regarding these new limitations is Pertamina’s decision to no longer provide subsidized fuel at petrol stations on toll roads. This policy, Mr. Mukandir clarified, will be implemented starting 6 August 2014 by 29 petrol stations on toll roads throughout Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and East Java.
Confirming the above, Edy Hermantoro, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, affirmed that the government is limiting the sale of subsidized fuel in order to meet the allocation under APBNP 2014.
Mr. Hermantoro further said that, according to Pertamina, if this policy is not implemented immediately, there will be not be sufficient subsidized fuel to go around until the end of 2014. Without these new restrictions, it is estimated that subsidized diesel fuel will be depleted on 30 November, and the same for subsidized oil fuel from around 19 December. This situation has been further exacerbated by the decision of the Ministry of Finance to not grant further budget allocation for additional subsidized fuel quotas.
Despite these pressing circumstances, Dewi Aryani, lawmaker from Commission VII at the House of Representatives, emphasized that the government should also provide alternative solutions along with the policy to limit the sale of subsidized fuel.
“When issuing regulations, the government should also provide alternative solutions for road users and vehicles,” she stressed.
Mrs. Aryani also proposed that the government observe critical indicators, such as economic growth and inflation, before implementing the limitations on the sale of subsidized solar fuel. In addition, it is important that the government carry out comprehensive reviews and trials before executing this policy.
“Has the policy fulfilled all the elements that served as indicators for the government to issue the said regulation immediately?” questioned Mrs. Aryani.
(hot/kc)