A Total Of 6.1 Million Recipients Of Electric Subsidy Not Right Targeted, How Could It Be?

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recorded that 6.1 million recipients of electricity subsidies were not on target.

The Head of the Communications, Public Information Services, and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Agung Pribadi, detailed that the current electricity subsidy is enjoyed by household customers 450 VA and 900 VA which are included in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS).

Around 24.3 million customers of 450 VA, there are around 9.5 million customers who are included in DTKS.

Agung added, of the 14.8 million customers of 450 VA Non DTKS, surveys have been conducted for 12.2 million, the results are around 50.1 percent who are entitled to receive subsidies, and around 49.9 percent or 6.1 million customers are not on target.

"This number has the potential to increase until the survey is carried out in its entirety," he said in a written statement, Wednesday, September 14.

Meanwhile, Agung said, so that subsidy electricity recipients are more targeted, the government and the DPR RI budget agency (Banggar) propose the transfer of 450 VA household customers to 900 VA.

According to him, the 450 VA to 900 VA migration plan is based on the desire for recipients of electricity subsidies to be right on target.

"In principle, there will be no reduction in the allocation of electricity subsidies in 2023, only the DPR wants there to be electricity subsidy control through the provision of more targeted subsidies," continued Agung.

However, Agung emphasized that an in-depth study was still needed regarding the proposal made by the Chairman of the DPR's Budget Agency (Banggar), Said Abdullah.

But what is certain, said Agung, is that the plan to transfer household customers from 450 VA to 900 VA will not reduce the allocation of electricity subsidies next year.

Just so you know, the government decided on the electricity subsidy budget ceiling for the 2023 fiscal year of IDR 72.58 trillion.

The amount of electricity subsidy is set on the assumption that the exchange rate is IDR 14,800 per US dollar and ICP 90 US dollars per barrel.

The electricity subsidy policy in accordance with the Financial Note of the 2023 RAPBN mandates that electricity subsidies are provided only for the eligible group, electricity subsidies for households are given right on target for poor and vulnerable households, and encourage the development of new and more efficient renewable energy.