Oil Manufacturers Hold Production, Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Asks People To Save Energy

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif asked the public to save on energy use, including the consumption of fuel oil.

According to Arifin, in the midst of the limited availability of petroleum reserves and the global situation that is not yet stable, the Government continues to strive to optimize oil and gas reserves. In addition, efforts to provide fuel supply for the community need to be stabilized in addition to saving fuel use.

"In order to maintain supply stability, we need to echo the community to save energy. Don't use energy if you don't need it, because it is also difficult for us to get it," said Arifin when inaugurating the Banyu Urip Infill Classic first Well Tax, quoted on Saturday, March 2.

Arifin added that currently global conflicts are not over, world oil producing countries are still controlling their production quotas so that the price is now entrenched at a level above 80 dollars per barrel, from the previous between 65 to 70 dollars per barrel.

"So this is what we need to support each other. The government will maintain prices. On the other hand, we also ask the community to save energy," he said.

Moreover, he said, currently the government has asked the state-owned fuel provider, Pertamina, to hold down fuel prices until June 2024 to restore the economic condition of the community after the General Election.

Previously, Arifin Tasrif also asked PT Pertamina (Persero) not to increase the price of subsidized fuel and non-subsidized fuel until June 2024.

This Ha was revealed by Arifin in front of the Deputy President Director of Pertamina, Wiko Migantoro at the Inauguration of the Infill and Classic Well Hijak in Cepu Block, Bojonegoro.

"We are still holding back so that fuel does not increase, especially in the early semester of 2024. It cannot go up, Mr. Wiko, so that community activities are not disrupted," said Arifin in his remarks, Friday, March 1.

Arfin said that the step to hold back fuel prices was to stabilize the community's economy after the 2024 presidential election. Moreover, he said, rice prices are currently soaring and have become public complaints in recent times.

"We still need to stabilize the post-election conditions and it is suspected that the price of rice has increased," continued Arifin.