Can PMN Rp10 Trillion, PLN Asked To Build Electricity Infrastructure: Including Make Sure There Are No Deletes For 450 VA Customers

JAKARTA - The 2023 State Capital Participation (PMN) worth IDR 10 trillion for PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) or PLN has been approved by Commission VI of the DPR. This PMN is expected to be used for the development of electricity infrastructure in Indonesia.

"PLN has received Rp10 trillion, of course we hope this money can be effective in building electricity infrastructure as previously hoped for village electricity and so on," said Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the DPR, Sarmuji in a working meeting with SOE Minister Erick Thohir, quoted Thursday, September 22.

Not only that, Sarmuji also hopes that the receipt of fresh funds from this country can also guarantee that there will be no subsidized elimination of 450 VA electricity customers.

"The opportunity to receive Rp10 trillion was also a guarantee that 450 VA customers would not be abolished," he said.

Even so, Sarmuji admits that it is difficult to sort out 450 VA customers who are really poor and those who are not entitled to enjoy this 450 VA electricity subsidy. However, said Sarmuji, currently economic conditions are still difficult, so there should be no discourse about removing these lowest electricity customers.

"Our economy is still difficult. We also choose to sort out who uses this 450 VA, some are rich, some are not, this is difficult. On average, they are not rich," he said.

Fluctuation of Issues for Elimination of 450 VA Electricity Customers

In response to this, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir also admitted that he was surprised by the issue of removing 450 VA electricity customers. He said, there had never been a discussion about this in Commission VI of the DPR.

"When there is an issue of 450 VA, we from the Ministry of SOEs also wonder at Commission VI we never discussed this and I assure you that," said Erick.

Moreover, continued Erick, Commission VI as a partner of the Ministry of SOEs actually encourages improvements in PLN's body as a whole. According to him, the issue of removing 450 VA's electric power is contrary to this.

"And I believe it is impossible from the commission to push for a comprehensive improvement of pln but to reduce the service of the people. This is a context that I don't think is appropriate for what commission VI did," he explained.

Erick said, as a state-owned company, PLN will side with the community. Therefore, according to him, service to consumers is the company's top priority.

"Regarding 450 VA there is no deletion strategy at all (no)," he said.