Cilacap Becomes The First Pilot Project Of The Solar Program For Fishermen

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (left) and Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki (right)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir officially launched the Solar program for fishermen cooperatives (Solution) at the Ocean Fisheries Port, Cilacap Regency, Central Java Province (Central Java). Cilacap was chosen as a pilot project project or pilot project before this program will be implemented at seven other points.

The inauguration of this program was carried out on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Also present were Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki, President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero) Nicke Widyawati, Regent of Cilacap Tatto Suwarto Pamuji, and Member of Commission VI DPR Adisatrya Suryo Sulisto.

"How can the Solution program for fishermen (in Cilacap) be the first pilot project, if this goes well in three months it will be developed at 7 points that have been previously submitted and expanded throughout Indonesia," Erick said as quoted from his official Instagram @erickthohir, Sunday, September 18.

The next six points are Lhoknga, Aceh; Deli Serdang, North Sumatra; Indramayu, West Java; Pekalongan, Semarang, Central Java; Surabaya, East Java; and East Lombok, and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

In this program, continued Erick, Pertamina directly distributed Solar subsidized to Fisherman gas stations under the Mino Saroyo Cooperative, which consists of 8,500 fishermen. The initiative program of the Ministry of SOEs and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs is a form of government siding with fishermen in the midst of the policy of transferring fuel subsidies.

Erick said the Solusi program could improve fishermen's access to Solar so that the Solar subsidy was more targeted and immediately allocated to fishermen. Erick and Teten also ensured that cooperatives became the spearhead so that the subsidized diesel was really right on target.

"With the cooperative, it means that there are names, addresses, and digital systems, so if someone brings jerry cans, it doesn't matter because there is a barcode, the data is visible," he said.

Erick said this made the Solusi program not only distributing diesel subsidies, but also fixing the people's fisheries business model by involving cooperatives as the first aggregator and guarantor for fishermen. For Erick, Indonesian fishermen are tough sailors who not only need subsidies, but also the people's fisheries business ecosystem that is healthy and in favor of fishermen.

"From Mr. Teten, later the cooperative will be given financing (work capital), we from BRI also encourage financing for fishermen, then fishermen's mothers are also not abandoned, there is also Mekaar PNM who will attend," said Erick.

SOEs, continued Erick, are also trying to open market access at home and abroad, as well as involving private parties as offtakers or buyers of fishermen's production. Erick hopes that this Fishermen's Solution program can be a breakthrough in responding to fishermen's problems.

"It's not just touching the problem on the surface but also fixing the business ecosystem as a form of long-term solution. Whatever the problem, we will face it, we will overcome it. Because productive thoughts can lead us to concrete solutions for an advanced, prosperous, and global Indonesia," continued Erick.

Meanwhile, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki believes the Solution program is the answer to a number of problems that fishermen have faced. Teten said 60 percent of fishermen's production costs so far are for fuel.

Furthermore, Teten said the Solar subsidy would have a major impact on the welfare of fishermen. The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs together with the Ministry of SOEs also encourage increased processing for added value of fishermen's production.

"We and Pak Erick are also thinking of becoming financing, processing, and offtakers whether from within the country or abroad so that fishermen have maximum benefits," said Teten.