Supporting Discourse On Buying 3 Kg LPG Using NIK, Speaker Of The House Of Representatives: To Be Right On Target

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, supports the Government's policy discourse regarding the use of the Population Identification Number (NIK) in purchasing subsidized LPG 3 Kg. According to her, this step to reform the distribution of energy subsidies is part of an effort to be right on target, as long as it must be designed with a mature approach and in favor of the community.

"We support the Government's efforts to ensure that energy subsidies, including LPG 3 Kg, can be distributed on target. Therefore, a thorough and cross-sectoral study is very important, so that this policy does not cause technical problems or social problems in the future," said Puan, Saturday, August 30.

Puan assessed that the principle of energy subsidies should not only stop at the draft policy. According to him, every policy must be benefited by people in need, especially vulnerable and low-income groups.

"The DPR RI is ready to become a critical partner for the Government in ensuring that this policy runs fairly, transparently, and does not create new complexities for the small people," said Puan.

Nevertheless, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture emphasized the importance of massive and educational socialization before the policy was implemented. Puan said, this is to address the fact that so far there are still many 3 Kg LPGs used by groups who are not entitled.

"We know that many people who do not have the right to receive subsidized gas actually use it. So the NIK-based system can be a tool to improve the accuracy of distribution, as long as it is applied with the right approach," he said

Therefore, the government needs to properly socialize to the public regarding the reasons for this system change, as well as provide maximum education to the people that energy subsidies must be used by those who really need them. Without a complete understanding of society, policies like this can cause resistance," added Puan.

As is known, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) will start the policy of using ID cards for people who want to buy 3 kg LPG. The policy is planned to take effect in 2026.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that his party was preparing regulations regarding the purchase of 3 kg LPG or subsidized LPG using ID cards.

Basically, the purchase of 3 kg LPG with ID cards is carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to ensure that the distribution of subsidies is right on target for the poor. This melon gas is intended for people who enter Desil 1 to 4, namely the category of poor people or vulnerable to poverty.