Duh, The Government Does Not Plan To Increase The Quota Of Pertalite Cs Even Though The Stock Is Almost Broken

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) still has not disclosed the plan to increase the budget for subsidized fuel oil (BBM) quota even though there is currently a high increase in consumption.

The Director General of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Isa Rachmatawarta, stated that his party was still referring to the previous budget for subsidies and compensation, which had been added based on an agreement between the government and the DPR a few months ago.

"This year, we have budgeted for subsidies and compensation of up to IDR 502.4 trillion. This amount has increased by around Rp350 trillion from the original 2022 state budget," he said through a virtual channel when giving a statement to the media crew, quoted on Friday, August 12.

Isa detailed the value of the subsidy plus IDR 75 trillion from the previous IDR 134 trillion. Then for compensation, it shot from Rp. 18.5 trillion to Rp. 275 trillion.

"As for consumption (subsidized fuel and compensation) we have estimated around 15 million kilo liters for diesel and 23 kilo liters for pertalite," he said.

Sri Mulyani's subordinates also admitted that there was an unusually high spike in demand for subsidized fuel in the last few months following the price adjustment of a number of types of fuel that did not receive government assistance.

“We continue to be wary of the rising consumption volume, which is now in the range of the numbers we originally assumed (for the whole year). We will continue to monitor this, hopefully we can manage it well, especially for the volume of consumption," he said.

Meanwhile, the editors are trying to confirm this to Pertamina. Through Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary Irto Ginting, the state-owned company provided clarity.

"As of July, 9.9 million kilo liters of subsidized diesel have been distributed, while the quota is 14.9 million kilo liters. Meanwhile, pertalite until July has distributed 16.8 million kilo liters, from the quota of 23 million kilo liters," said Irto when answering VOI's question.