Allegedly, the Lumajang Regency Government Closed the Elpiji Base with Thousands of Containers 

Lumajang Regency, East Java, closed the operation of a 3-kilogram LPG base in Jarit Village, Candipuro District, which was suspected of hoarding up to around 1,000 tubes.

Lumajang Regent Indah Amperawati in Lumajang, Saturday, said the closure was carried out after finding strong indications of hoarding practices that had an impact on the scarcity of subsidized LPG in the community.

"The scarcity of LPG in Lumajang cannot be separated from the alleged hoarding practices, so we immediately checked on the ground," he said.

He emphasized that this step was a form of commitment by the local government in ensuring the distribution of subsidized LPG was targeted.

According to him, the closure policy was taken as a follow-up to a coordination meeting with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, agents, and LPG bases, following an increase in public complaints regarding the scarcity of 3 kilogram LPG.

The local government then carried out a surprise inspection without prior notice to ensure conditions on the ground.

Inspection results showed that the number of LPG cylinders stored at the base far exceeded the limit.

"Each base is only allowed to store around 200 cylinders, but at the location there were almost 1,000 cylinders. This is a serious violation," he said.

He added that the impact of the deviation was felt by the public through the scarcity and increase in the price of LPG at the retailer level.

The price of 3 kilogram LPG is reported to reach Rp24 thousand to Rp25 thousand per cylinder, even in certain areas it has penetrated Rp35 thousand, far above the highest retail price (HET) of Rp18 thousand per cylinder.

The Regent reminded all parties in the distribution chain, from bulk LPG filling stations (SPBE), agents, to bases, to carry out their roles responsibly.

"Don't play around in serving the community," he said.

The Lumajang Regency Government, he continued, will continue to strengthen the supervision of LPG distribution and open up space for public participation to report alleged irregularities.

With this step, it is hoped that the distribution of subsidized LPG will return to normal, prices will be more controlled, and the public will not be harmed.