Government Says Subsidy Elpiji Cannot Be Purchased Freely Starting 2027

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif ensured that the purchase of 3 kg LPG gas would be carried out behind closed doors starting in 2027.

Arifin said, later the purchase of melon gas will only be served to customers who have registered a Identity Card (KTP) in the Pertamina system.

"Furthermore, changes to the 3 kg LPG subsidy mechanism to people or beneficiaries will be set in 2027," Arifin said at a Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission VII DPR RI, Wednesday, June 19.

With this new system, later the data on 3 kg LPG users who have registered will be matched with the Targeting data for the Acceleration of Extreme Poverty Elimination (P3KE) so that those who are entitled to receive the melon gas will be obtained.

On the same occasion, Arifin also explained, until now the roadmap for the transformation of the distribution of 3 kg eliji subsidies has several stages. First, the transformation stage on target has begun with the issuance of Kepmen number 37 tofu 2023 concerning technical instructions for the distribution of certain LPG refills on target and Decree of the Director General of Oil and Gas number 99 of 2023 concerning the determination of the region and the timing of the distribution of certain LPG refills on target.

Meanwhile, starting January 1, 2024, the purchase of 3 kg of LPG in the sub-distributor can be carried out by registered users. Meanwhile, those who have not been registered are required to stay in the sub-distributor before transacting.

"Starting March 1, 2023, the data collection and matching process for 3 kg LPG users will be carried out in a web-based system," continued Arifin.

Then starting June 1, 2024, all of the recording of transactions in the sub-distributor will be carried out through the Pertamina MAP marchant app except for 689 sub-sectors in areas that are constrained by internet signals.

Arifin also said that the transformation phase 2 of the 3 kg LPG users' distribution will only be implemented after the issuance of a legal umbrella for users to refill 3kg of LPG canisters.

"Currently, the revision process of Presidential Decree number 104 of 2007 is waiting for approval of the initiative permit from the President. If the revision of the Presidential Regulation is set in the fourth quarter of 2024, the target for LPG 3 kg users can be implemented in 2025 and the following year," concluded Arifin.