Purchase Of 3 Kg Elpiji At The Official Base Prevents Persons From Raising Their Own Profits

JAKARTA - Economist Professor Hamid Paddu assesses that the sale of 3 kg LPG directly by the official base of PT Pertamina (Persero) can prevent speculators or parties who use the subsidized gas fuel for their own benefit.

So far, according to him, the distribution of 3 kg LPG or commonly called melon gas is often not on target.

In fact, he continued, not only can people afford it, but speculators also buy the fuel at retailers and mix it for sale to industry.

"The sale of 3 kg LPG directly by Pertamina's official base can make subsidies right on target," Hamid said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 4.

In addition to preventing rich people from buying melon gas, he continued, people who are entitled to it.

However, Hamid said, policies should be affirmatory in nature to reduce poverty and make people more prosperous, but, so far, many groups have cut the subsidy, namely the rich and speculators.

"They can buy dozens of tubes and re-oplos for sale to industry and so on," he added, meaning that this is detrimental to people's tax money. It could be that people who need it don't get it," he said.

According to Hamid, the base can control the buyers but the kiosk or gas retailer shop cannot be done because the owner cannot prohibit anyone from buying the 3 kg gas.

In terms of the state budget, he assessed, the distribution of 3 kg LPG that was right on target also helped save the state budget because the funds disbursed for subsidies were estimated to be less than Rp. 87 trillion as allocated this year, but could be 20-25 percent lower.

He asked the public not to hesitate to buy melon gas at the official base because they will get prices according to the HET set by the regional governments of each region.

"Thus, the poor can enjoy gas at subsidy prices so that money can be allocated for other purposes," he said.