Struggling To Rare, Jokowi Affirms Subsidized LPG Only For Underprivileged People!

3 kg LPG gas (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that the distribution of 3 kilograms (kg) of subsidized gas is only for the underprivileged.

Jokowi said that LPG or often called 3 kg LPG is a contested commodity. Thus, it can cause scarcity.

"The LPG, especially those subsidized, is indeed contested in the field, and that is only for the underprivileged. That must be underlined," Jokowi said quoting Antara.

President Jokowi has assigned SOE Minister Erick Thohir to handle the 3 kg LPG gas shortage and also provide explanations to the public.

"Regarding the scarcity, the Minister of SOEs will be responsible because it involves Pertamina under him," he said.

As reported in the news, it was reported that 3 kg LPG was rare in several areas, such as the occurrence in Magetan, Banyuwangi, and a number of areas on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

The provision for the distribution of 3 kg LPG subsidies has actually been regulated in the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 37.K/MG.05/MEM.M/2023 dated 27 February 2023 concerning Technical Guidelines for the Distribution of Certain LPG Recharges on Target and Decree of the Director General of Oil and Gas Number 99.K/MG.05/DJM/2023 dated 28 February 2023 concerning the Establishment of Regions and the Implementation Time for the Re-Distribution of Certain LPG Right Targets.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and PT Pertamina Persero since March 1, 2023 has registered or collected 3 Kg of LPG users into a web-based system, as part of the 3 Kg LPG Distribution Program on Target. Later starting January 1, 2024, only people who have been registered can get 3 Kg LPG.

In 2023, the government will allocate a 3 kg cylinder LPG subsidy budget of up to IDR 117.85 trillion.