Fuel Stock in Safe Condition, the Public is Asked to Remain Calm

JAKARTA - Pertamina stated that the stock of Fuel Oil or Fuel Oil was in a safe condition. The largest energy BUMN confirmed that regarding the reserve of around 20 days, it does not mean that after that the fuel will run out, because Pertamina continues to stabilize the stock.

For this reason, the public is asked to be calm, not panic, and not hoard because it will have a negative impact on the economy. In a talk show in Jakarta, quoted Sunday, March 8, Executive Director of the ReforMiner Institute, Komaidi Notonegoro said, the reserve of about 20 days is operational reserves, a kind of inventory. The reserve is in storage or storage.

"People don't need to worry. Because the name is 20 days, it's not 20 days later. But when it's sold, let's say it's sold today, Pertamina will also bring a thousand, even more. Because they have an interest, their business is running, "said Komaidi.

As an illustration, Komaidi likened a store. When goods are sold, they will definitely buy again to replenish stocks. And in such a condition, he explained, it has actually been going on for a long time and regularly. Not just now.

The reserve of around 20 days, according to Komaidi, is even higher than in some other countries. Including Laos and Vietnam. "Vietnam has 15 days of operational reserves. Laos only has 10 days. This means that this is actually something normal," he added.

Therefore, Komaidi hopes that the community will be calm, including before Eid al-Fitr. Because Pertamina has certainly prepared the distribution well, including through the Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr Task Force. "And I think the stock in each region is also safe," he added.

At the same event, member of the National Energy Council (DEN) M Kholid Syeirazi also agreed. "No need to panic. No need to panic," said Kholid.

Kholid said there are three types of energy reserves. Namely strategic reserves, energy buffer reserves, and operational reserves. And the so-called 20-23 day reserves are operational reserves provided by business entities such as Pertamina.

"For operational reserves, they are provided by the business entity, in this case Pertamina, which is circular. So if it is used, yes, stocks have been provided to be supplied again from import sources. "It is circular. So if it is used, yes, stocks have been provided to be supplied again from import sources," said Kholid.

Meanwhile, the energy buffer reserve, continued Kholid, is mandatory and must be provided by the Government according to the financial capacity of the state. This provision is regulated through Presidential Regulation Number 96 of 2024 concerning Energy Buffer Reserves (CPE) which must be provided by the government.

That is why Kholid reiterated that the current fuel conditions are guaranteed to be safe. Including ahead of Eid al-Fitr. For example, said Kholid, the Pertalite reserve is even 28 days and Pertamax 29 days. Likewise, Avtur, said Kholid is also safe.

"So I appeal to the public, don't panic. The so-called 20 days is a circulating stock. So it comes and goes. As soon as there is an item coming out, there is an item coming in. This was conveyed by professors since the 70s," he concluded.

Moreover, according to Kholid, until now Pertamina is still producing oil. Namely through drilling that continues to be carried out. In addition, it also continues to carry out exploration and reserve additions. And these efforts, according to Kholid, continue to be carried out until now.

"So there is no problem. Insya Allah we will be able to go home with joy. Hopefully the conflict will be resolved and the community does not need to panic, including hoarding. Because it will create a negative moral hazard for the economy," he concluded.