Grief Prohibition Of Retailers Selling 3 Kg LPG, A Policy That Ends Tragically

JAKARTA - In a small village in Pamulang, South Tangerang, a mother named Yonih lives. Every day, this 62-year-old woman sells fried foods, relying on the 3 kg LPG gas she buys from retailers.

However, the government's decision to ban retailers from selling 3 kg LPG gas shocked him. For the sake of business continuity, he had no choice but to queue at the official base. That day, Yonih queued for two hours in the hot sun. He managed to get two gas cylinders, but his body was no longer strong. Fatigue after a long queue, he fell ill and eventually died. This sad news echoed, leaving a pain in the hearts of many people.

Another tragedy occurred in Grobogan Regency, Central Java. Tri Lestari (50) had an accident while carrying a gas cylinder on a motorbike. Trying to overtake a tronton truck, he lost control and fell into a truck. His life could not be saved.

These sad stories reflect how the rules for prohibiting retailers have a direct impact on the lives of the small people. Not only does it make access difficult, but it also endangers those who have to look for gas to a longer location.

Having NIB Is Not Difficult And Free

The ban on retailers selling 3 kg LPG gas has proven to have a serious impact. Until finally, on the evening of February 2, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto revoked the regulation. Retailers are allowed to sell 3 kg LPG gas to the public.

Anton, one of the melon gas retailers, heard this news with relief. The next day, February 3, he received a WhatsApp message from Cempaka Putih District: his business license through OSS (Online Single Submission) has been approved.

Since the ban rules emerged, Anton has tried to get a Business Identification Number (NIB) so that he can still sell 3 kg LPG gas. However, the process is not easy. The OSS application when a ban occurs, does not respond. It makes it difficult for him to obtain a permit in a short time.

Thus, although NIB provides legality for retailers, policies related to the distribution of 3 kg LPG need to be carefully considered so that it does not cause another negative impact for retailers and the community.

For retailers, the ban on selling 3 kg LPG gas has disrupted for several main reasons, 3 kg gas is one of the best-selling products in the community, especially among the lower middle-income. This prohibition makes retailers lose one of their main sources of income.

"This is very important. The difficulty of public access. So far, many residents are easier to buy gas from retailers than they have to go to official bases, which are more limited in number and often queues, and those who have been serving the needs of small communities are retailers," said Anton.

What is requested is a retailer like himself, so that each region has the Highest Retail Price (HET) at the retail level.

"Just determine how much we have to sell per tube. The one who determines the HET is certain to be the government. So, every retailer has the selling price to the community simultaneously, it's not different. Honestly, from one sale, I only take a profit of 3,000 silver," said Anton, a resident of Cempaka Putih Barat Village, Cempaka Putih District, Central Jakarta.

The Importance Of Security Apparatus Supervising LPG Distribution

Having NIB means that retailers are arguably sub-base. Changing the status of retailers to sub-bases for Anton, is the same as the matter of profit, only the difference is in the purchase. Buyers must bring their ID cards to get melon gas. Another difference in the amount of melon gas ownership.

"Retailers are limited to selling 10 to 15 tubes. If you become a sub-base, you can sell more than 15 tubes, and depending on each capital," said Anton.

Based on regulations, one buyer to retailers is limited to only two melon gas cylinders for one purchase.

Anton's story is not much different from that of a melon gas retailer in Bekasi City. When VOI was found at his residence, Nur Rohmat started the conversation with the story of a flashback incident on February 1. The price of 3 kg LPG gas in Bekasi City had jumped to Rp. 25 thousand per tube.

After President Prabowo intervened, and until now the highest price at the base has reached Rp. 19 thousand, while at the retail level it can reach Rp. 23 thousand.

A number of retailers hope that the government will provide a solution so that the distribution of subsidized gas is more targeted. One of their proposals is to involve officers such as Satpol PP, Bimas, or kelurahan officers to directly check the condition of residents' houses entitled to buy subsidized gas.

On the other hand, retailers face obstacles in managing the Business Identification Number (NIB), which is now a requirement to buy gas from the base.

"In addition, the registration process that must be carried out online is also considered difficult. Retailers who do not have an NIB can only shop at the base until March," said Nur Rohmat, a resident of Kayu Ringin Jaya, South Bekasi.

Sources From Various 3 Kg LPG Subsidy Problems, APKLI Urges Data Validation Of 63 Million In MAP Pertamina-

Many small traders, and housewives have to queue to buy LPG melon at the base, and agents, because the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources led by Bahlil Lahadalia prohibits retailers from selling 3 kg LPG gas to the public. This prohibition, he said, was so that the distribution of LPG subsidies was right on target. However, the reality that occurred actually caused polemics.

The wave of rejection of the policy made President Prabowo Subianto again allow LPG to be sold by retailers.

Chairman of the Indonesian Street Vendors Association (PKL), dr. Ali Mahsun ATMO, M. Biomed, respects the President's order or instructions for the number one person in Indonesia, who came out on February 2 that night.

Moreover, the President's instructions were accompanied by government efforts to subsidize 3 kg LPG on target and on price. Also 375 thousand retailers throughout Indonesia are used as sub bases so that they are officially part of the 3 kg LPG gas supply chain as long as they are not complicated and KUR or non-KUR mechanisms for retailers who need additional capital.

"It is certain that it will benefit the increase in retail status to sub-base," said Ali Mahsun ATMO, M. Biomed, Friday, February 7, 2025.

The Indonesian Street Vendors Association smelled a policy of prohibiting retailers from selling melon gas to the public on Friday, February 1, 2025, more to the government who suspected retailers of mixing.

"If the suspicion is true, we really don't accept it. Why? In addition to the capital, the sheet or very limited, also has no tools and skills to mix, do not have facilities for places and vehicles (cars)," explained Ali Mahsun.

Pengcer itu, lanjut Ali Mahsun, maksimal hanya memiliki 10-15 tabung gas LPG 3 kg. Tidak mungkin menggoplos jadi LPG 5,5 kg dan 12 kg, mengampi atau menjual ke industri. 60% subsidi gas melon bocor bukan di pencer.

"The leak of the 3 kg LPG subsidy is not in retailers, but in chains of upstream supply," said Ali Mahsun.

"We are suspicious, with the policy of prohibiting retailers from selling 3 kg LPG gas to the public, which had made a scene, there were indications that strong investors wanted to appear by providing gas bases. As a result, there were no more retailers. Even though retailers are "gods" of the rescue of the small people," concluded Ali Mahsun.