Distribution Of Subsidized Fuel Must Be Limited By Digitization

Illustration (Photo: Antara Doc)

JAKARTA - Public policy observer Agus Pambagio said that PT Pertamina (Persero)'s step to record Solar and Pertalite buyers with a digitalization strategy through an application was considered appropriate to control the distribution of subsidized fuel oil (BBM).

"It's good what Pertamina has done. It must be limited, right, if not, who wants to bear it," Agus said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 11.

According to Agus, the classification of vehicles that are entitled to purchase diesel and Pertalite at Pertamina gas stations is not yet "clear".

The digitalization strategy through the application carried out by Pertamina is positive for data banks.

The use of MyPertamina can effectively control subsidies as well as increase public awareness of being able to buy non-subsidized fuel that is more environmentally friendly.

"But, it (diesel and Pertalite buyers) must have a classification. That's what we are waiting for," he said.

For your information, the government is currently working on a revision of Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 191 of 2014 concerning the Supply, Distribution, and Retail Selling Price of Oil Fuel.

The revision of Presidential Regulation 191/2014 along with technical instructions for purchasing subsidized fuel is projected to be completed in the near future.

In the new regulation, the distribution of diesel fuel and Pertalite will be limited.

Only certain vehicles are eligible to purchase Solar and Pertalite.

This is done so that the subsidized fuel quota does not collapse, moreover the DPR's Budget Agency (Banggar) does not recommend increasing the Pertalite and Solar quotas.

In fact, if it is not added, the quota for the two fuels will be broken.

Banggar even gave Pertamina the opportunity to build a system either through MyPertamina or with fingerprints.

"If there are no restrictions on vehicles like today, there are many violations. Law enforcement officers should act, it's a violation of the law," he said.

Since July 1, 2022, Pertamina has opened opportunities for people who want to register their vehicles as users of Pertalite and subsidized Solar.

Socialization is also continuously carried out in various information channels.

This is done as an effort by the company to control the volume quota of the two fuels. The 2022 state budget sets a quota for diesel at 15.1 million kiloliters (KL) and Pertalite at 23.05 million KL.

In a working meeting with Commission VII DPR last May, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif proposed increasing the 2022 Solar quota to 17.5 million KL and Pertalite to 28 million KL.

Member of the House of Representatives Commission VI, Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus said his party supports the dissemination of the use of the MyPertamina application.

Moreover, the essence of using the MyPertamina application is to want to evenly distribute fuel subsidies.

"Pertamina focuses on its application, that's ok, but there must be socialization and education to the public, not only by Pertamina," he said.

He also stressed the importance of working with local governments. This is so that the socialization carried out can be accepted by the community at the lower level.

"This must be done consistently and continuously. If necessary, in all village offices, in all village halls, or anywhere else, just paste information about subsidies. It will make it easier," he said.