Government Asked to Prevent Panic Buying of New Era of Distribution of Subsidized 3 Kg LPG Using NIK-Desil

A seller of subsidized Pertamina LPG gas cylinders. (Antara-Rendhik Andika)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission XII of the House of Representatives, Ratna Juwita Sari, asked the Government to carry out massive socialization of the new plan for the distribution of subsidized 3 kg LPG.

The distribution of subsidized 3 kg LPG will refer to the new Presidential Regulation (Perpres) which replaces Presidential Regulation Number 104 of 2007 and Presidential Regulation Number 38 of 2019.

In the rules later, the government led by President Prabowo Subianto will distribute 3 kg of subsidized melon gas to recipients based on a system based on the Population Identification Number (NIK) and welfare level (desil) from the Social Welfare Integrated Data (DTKS).

"But don't let last year's early experience repeat itself, where efforts to improve the management of distribution instead cause panic buying and scarcity in the field," Ratna Juwita told reporters, Monday, December 22.

According to Ratna, the change in the distribution scheme for 3 kilogram LPG has the potential to cause confusion among the public if it is not accompanied by adequate explanation.

Therefore, the member of the commission for energy and environment emphasized the importance of long and structured socialization, including simulation of the latest distribution model.

"The government needs to ensure that the public understands the new mechanism that will be implemented. Don't let the public be surprised and panic, so that they compete to buy excessively or hoard," said Ratna.

Ratna also emphasized that theoretically, subsidized 3 kilogram LPG is intended for the poor, especially households in desil 1 to 4 which fall into the category of very poor to vulnerable poor, and desil 5 which are classified as poor. However, according to him, the clarity and validity of data are the key to making policies targeted.

"Accurate data on residents based on villages is needed in the DTKS. Without solid data, the restriction policy has the potential to cause distribution errors and conflicts at the grassroots level," said Ratna.

In addition, Ratna also emphasized the need for strict supervision in the field, ranging from the level of agents to retailers. Supervision, said Ratna, is important to prevent misuse, subsidy leakage, and to ensure that 3 kilogram LPG is actually received by the entitled group.

"We in the DPR, especially Commission XII, will continue to monitor this policy so that the purpose of the subsidy is achieved, namely to protect the small community, without causing turmoil in the field," concluded Ratna.