Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Responds To Allegations By Members Of Commission VII Calling The Play-Play Conversion Program

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif gave a response regarding accusations by members of Commission VII DPR RI from the PKS faction, Diah Nurwitasari, who said that the electric motor conversion program was not serious and was playing games.

"And I even saw it when 2024 was held for 10 motorbikes, this is the level of the ministry, sir, not the level of the sub-district for procuring 10 motorbikes. This is the level of the ministry nationally. The target is 10 motorbikes, so this is really a joke, sir. I see that there is no seriousness," said Diah at a Working Meeting with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources quoted on Wednesday, March 20.

Diah also highlighted the remaining unabsorbed conversion budget of IDR 349.75 billion. He regretted that the amount of budget was not fully absorbed.

"That's not good at two rupiahs. It's very big! It's a shame from the planning side, we continue to allocate the budget in such a way that it's not absorbed," he added.

Just so you know, in the budget ceiling of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, it is stated that Rp. 6.8 trillion and Rp. 0.1 billion or Rp. 100 million is budgeted for the conversion program of 10 electric motorcycles.

Arifin Tasrif then responded if this program was run seriously and not played games.

"Please 10, this is not funny, Mrs. Diah. Indeed, our experience yesterday was given 150 thousand units, indeed it is a bit, then the budget will only be provided in April 2023," said Arifin.

According to him, when budgeted, his party still had to provide a number of supporting infrastructures for the conversion program of electric vehicles. Arifin also mentioned that many people are interested in converting but are constrained by a number of things such as complete vehicle documents which are indeed a condition for conversion.

In addition, the most converted motorbikes are old motorbikes and their legality is still being questioned. For this reason, he said, it is necessary to provide a wide space first for the conversion program of electric motorcycles while the government prepares conversion workshops that are certified with reliable personnel.

"Our old motorbikes have an illegal status, they are fraudulent. Meanwhile, we are preparing supporting infrastructure. The workshop's ability is quite amazing, it can be converted within 3 hours and 4 hours for 1 vehicle," concluded Arifin.