Reduce Pollution, Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Will Give Pertamax Subsidies?

Pertamax illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is reviewing the possibility of providing subsidies for Pertamax fuel which has an octane value of 92.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Dadan Kusdiana said that the possibility would still be discussed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif in a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo today, Monday, August 28.

"Wait because there is a cabinet meeting today," Dadan told reporters at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Monday, August 28.

It is hoped that the provision of subsidies to Pertamax can increase consumption which is considered cleaner than Pertalite which has an octane value of 90 so that it can also reduce pollution.

Previously, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) recommended 8 ways to reduce pollution in DKI Jakarta. Among other things, the procurement of electric operational vehicles, tightening the standard transportation emissions to Euro4, procurement of Transjakarta electric buses, emission tests, transition of private transportation to public transportation, conversion to electric stoves, dust control from construction and prohibition of burning open waste.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also asked the public to sacrifice using Pertamax and stop using Pertalite in order to reduce air pollution in DKI Jakarta, which has recently become increasingly worrying. Director General of Pollution and Environmental Damage of the Ministry of Environment, Sigit Reliantoro, said it was necessary to review the tightening of transportation emission standards to Euro 4.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has also conveyed emission control at a limited meeting held Monday, August 14, 2023. One of Jokowi's directives was to order the acceleration of the implementation of emission restrictions. The instruction was immediately responded to by the Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Heru Budi.

Budi said the DKI Provincial Government would encourage the shift in the use of fuel for private vehicles. Heru wants high cc vehicles to use fuel with RON 98.

"For example, 2,400 cc must be Pertamax Turbo, so we all people must be disciplined about it," said Heru.