JAKARTA - Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani again gave the latest information about the condition of the fuel subsidy (BBM) budget which is increasingly depleting.

One of the focuses of attention is the pattern of diesel consumption which far exceeds the government's initial estimate.

According to the Minister of Finance's records, until July 2022 the absorption of diesel fuel has reached 9.98 million kiloliters. Even though the allocation provided by the government until the end of the year is only 15.1 million kiloliters.

"If you follow the current trend, diesel will run out in October," he said while attending a DPD RI meeting at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Friday, August 25.

According to the Minister of Finance, the soaring level of consumption is inseparable from the loosening of mobility which makes economic activity recover faster.

As a result, the need for energy resources also increased.

In detail, the state treasurer explained that the use of subsidized diesel was mostly used by the top four groups of people, aka the rich.

"Solar of the Rp. 143 trillion that we subsidize, 89 percent or Rp. 127 trillion that enjoys the business world and the rich," he asserted.

Thus, if the government takes steps to increase the fuel subsidy budget, the targets will be less effective.

"Yes, this is the risk that if the subsidy is through goods (such as fuel) then we subsidize the wealthy. Indeed, there are poor people who enjoy it but the portion was very small. We need to think about this. If we add (again subsidies) hundreds of trillions, it means we are adding (subsidy) those who are already able, while the funds are limited," explained the Minister of Finance.

For information, in the 2022 State Budget Law, the value of subsidies and compensation for this year is Rp. 158 trillion.

This figure then jumped to Rp502 trillion with the approval of the DPR, in line with the soaring prices of various world energy commodities.


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