Subsidized Fuel Using State Money, BPH Migas Urges More Precision Distribution

JAKARTA - Head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Erika Retnowati again reminded that the distribution of fuel oil (BBM) for the Solar Subsidy and Pertalite Compensance Fuel must be right on target, because in the formation of prices that are sold there is state money, namely in the form of subsidies and compensation.

Erika conveyed that subsidies and fuel compensation are given to people who have the right to maintain people's purchasing power by setting affordable prices, and creating a sense of justice. At the same time, fuel subsidies are also expected to encourage the growth of the economy and investment.

"Subsidized fuel and compensation using state money, its use must be accountable. For this reason, the distribution of fuel must also be ensured to be right on target and right on volume," Erika said in her statement, Sunday, April 28.

Furthermore, Erika said, as an effort for consumers to use subsidized fuel and compensate for their rights, BPH Migas has issued Regulation of BPH Migas Number 2 of 2023 concerning Issuance of Recommended Letters for Purchase of Certain Types of Fuel (solar) and Types of Special Fuel Assignment (pertalite).

According to Erika, this is an effort to regulate, supervise the provision and distribution of subsidized fuel on target, on volume, on benefits according to its designation. This regulation also provides convenience for stakeholders in issuing recommendation letters.

The recommendation letter set by BPH Migas aims to ensure that subsidized fuel and compensation that is intended for our brothers and sisters in need can be enjoyed properly or on target. In addition, it also supports productive sectors such as the fisheries, agriculture and micro-enterprises sector, as well as public services, "explained Erika.

Similarly, Member of the BPH Migas Committee, Harya Adityawarman, explained that this Recommendation Letter uses information technology to provide convenience for the publisher agencies in issuing recommendation letters and is used for controlling or monitoring the distribution of subsidized fuel.

"The recommendation letter is equipped with a QR Code as a reference for the Purchase of BBM JBT Solar and JBKP Pertalite at the Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU)," he explained.

Harya, who is usually called Didit, conveyed that the volume in the Recommendation Letter is a certainty of the need for subsidized fuel and state compensation for documented communities in the relevant Regional Government, Assignment Business Entities and Oil and Gas BPH.

On the same occasion, Member of Commission VII DPR RI Bambang Patijaya also appreciated this activity which was attended by various levels of society, namely fishermen, MSME actors, youth organizations and other organizations.

"This provides a space for the people of East Belitung to understand the function of BPH Migas and the governance of fuel distribution so that people can be served and on target," said Bambang.

In addition to meeting the people of East Belitung Regency, BPH Migas also monitors the distribution of subsidized fuel at gas stations and fishermen's gas stations (SPBUN) in the Belitung area and its surroundings.

From this monitoring, BPH Migas received input from various stakeholders, gas station operators/SPBUN and user consumers for the improvement of regulations and surveillance equipment, such as the presence of individuals who used more than one QR to buy subsidized fuel, the existence of a Fuel Card issued by the local government was used to exceed the filling limitation and was not in accordance with its designation.

Member of the BPH Migas Committee, Abdul Halim, revealed that in this monitoring, there was a discrepancy between the data on the fuel card and the type of car filling the fuel.

Abdul said that he should only be able to buy 20-30 liters (Mobil Fuel Card), it turns out that it can buy up to 60 liters (Mask Fuel Card), there are still riverers who use several QR and replace vehicle registration numbers according to QR.

Halim conveyed that with these indications of findings, it is hoped that business entities and gas station operators will be more concerned to pay attention to existing regulations. The Province of the Bangka Belitung Islands already has derivative rules regarding controlling fuel distribution.

"Due to this condition, we (BPH Migas) carried out coaching in the form of controlling the distribution of Solar and Pertalite, but the operation was not stopped, because the distance from one gas station to another was quite far. So that the surrounding community remained well served," explained Halim.

Halim added that the quality and placement of CCTV at gas stations must also be considered because it will facilitate supervision by BPH Migas and Pertamina Patra Niaga. It is hoped that the Distribution Business Entity will always carry out periodic checks on gas stations in its area.

This monitoring activity ends with dialogue with fishermen to get input from fishermen who are buying subsidized fuel at the Nusantara Fisheries Port Gas Station in Belitung.

"BPH Migas sees the facilities and has direct dialogue with fishermen about the availability of fuel for this gas station subsidy. Whether the fuel they are waiting for is always available or there are several situations, such as shortages or delays," concluded Halim.