This Is The Answer Of The Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Regarding The Issue Of Cutting Energy Subsidies For Free Lunch Programs

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif (Photo: Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif opened his voice regarding the issue of cutting energy subsidies for the free lunch program carried by Presidential Candidates number 2, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Previously, this issue stemmed from the statement by the Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team (TKN), Eddy Soeparno, when interviewed by Bloomberg TV.

When asked by reporters about this, Arifin Tasrif emphasized that there would be no increase in fuel oil (BBM) and electricity.

"So there is no increase in bbm and electricity," said Arifin after the cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace, Monday, February 26.

Arifin was reluctant to give further statements regarding this matter but he ensured that there was no government plan in the near future to increase the price of subsidized fuel and electricity rates.

"Yes, basically now there is no discourse on increasing NNM and electricity. That's already answered right?" Arifin concluded.

Previously, a member of the National Campaign Team (TKN) Expert Council Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Drajat Wibowo opened his voice regarding the rise of news which stated that Prabowo CS would cut fuel subsidies for the free lunch program initiated by the President-Cawapres number 02.

Drajat said, his party has several relatively small resources, one of which is funds from cases that have permanent legal force (inkracht).

The potential for state revenue is around Rp90 trillion, more than these unpaid funds.

"Second, the amendments to one regulation can release Rp116.4 Ttriliun. This is a mid-2023 calculation. Now it is likely that it is greater and there are still at least 3 other sources whose potential is greater, but it cannot be disclosed yet," concluded Drajat.