Lack Of Ability Families In Central Kalimantan Can Free Electricity Connections From PLN

PLN provides electricity installation assistance for underprivileged residents in Central and South Kalimantan. (PLN Doc)

JAKARTA - The government has shown a commitment that the state is present through PT PLN (Persero) which has completed the connection of Electricity Pasang Baru Assistance (BPBL) to 4,797 underprivileged families in South and Central Kalimantan.

The presence of electricity was also warmly welcomed by the community. One of them is a resident of Karang Mulya Village, West Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, Budianto who can't hide his happiness when the electricity in his house is on.

The 47-year-old man, who works as a casual daily laborer, admitted that this assistance really helps his daily activities and becomes more comfortable using electricity. Previously, he got electricity from connecting from a neighbor's house.

Previously, I distributed electricity in my house with my neighbors, I had to pay 100 thousand rupiah per month. With this BPBL assistance, I am very grateful and greatly helped. Hopefully in the future this program will continue to run and can help other residents," said Budianto.

The residents of Tanah Siang Village, Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan, Goris Mere (44) also felt the same feeling. He expressed his gratitude for being helped to install free electricity through the BPBL program.

"Thank you to the Central Government, PLN, and the Regional Government for providing a new install of free electricity, I was greatly helped. At first, the lighting was still using a flash, now it uses lights," said Goris Mere.

Expert Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for Supervision, Obvitnas Yurod Saleh, said that the BPBL program is one of the government's efforts to increase energy equality and help people gain access to electricity.

"We express our gratitude and appreciation to PLN for the success of the BPBL program. We all hope that this program can meet the electricity needs of the community and improve the standard of living for more productive economic activities," said Yurod.

The recipients of the BPBL program, said Yurod, will receive electrical installations of houses in the form of 3 light points and 1 stop contact, inspection and installation testing as outlined in the Operational Feasibility Certificate (SLO), connection to PLN, and the first electricity token.

Through the support of the DPR RI as well, the program to electrify underprivileged families in the 3T area can be carried out by PLN. PLN electrifies 3,281 families in Central Kalimantan and 1,516 families in South Kalimantan.

Member of Commission VII DPR RI, Mukhtarudin, expressed his appreciation to all parties for the realization of this BPBL program. Given, electricity is a very important need for the community.

"This BPBL program proves that the state through the government and related stakeholders is present in order to ensure energy justice, because electricity is the basic need of the community, so that people's lives will be more productive with electricity," said Mukhtarudin.

General Manager of PT PLN (Persero) Main Distribution Unit of South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan, Muhammad Joharifin said the BPBL Program is clear evidence that the support of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) is pursuing a 100 percent electrification ratio target.

"PLN is ready to carry out its duties as a driver in the field of electricity, and is ready to cooperate with all stakeholders and strategic partners to create an electrification ratio of 100 percent in South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan," said Joharifin.

Joharifin against the BPBL program can provide benefits for the community. So that it provides a domino effect to improve the welfare of the community and the regional economy.

"In the future, PLN hopes that this collaboration will further strengthen synergies to expand and develop other collaborations, we believe the 2022 BPBL Program can provide benefits for people in need," concluded Joharifin.