JAKARTA - Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita was not present at the discussion on the continuation of the Certain Natural Gas Price (HGBT) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on Friday, March 22 yesterday.
The Director General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment and Electronics Industries of the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) Taufiek Bawazier said that initially Minister Agus wanted to attend the meeting. However, from the original schedule that had been agreed, the meeting was accelerated.
"Initially (the meeting) was scheduled to start at 14.30 WIB. The Minister of Industry (Agus) was ready to attend and Thursday night was notified to be moved forward to 13.30 WIB, he is also ready to attend," said Taufiek in a written statement, Saturday, March 23.
"However, suddenly on Friday morning, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources unilaterally changed the meeting schedule to 10.00 WIB. At the same time, the Minister of Industry already has an agenda of inaugurating 11 officials at the Ministry of Industry," he continued.
Thus, Agus also instructed Taufiek to become a representative in the agenda of the meeting with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Minister of Finance and the Head of SKK Migas Dwi Soetjipto.
"So it is with a heavy heart to assign echelon 1 level officials to attend meetings whose schedule has been changed," said Taufiek.
In the agenda of the meeting, Taufiek received a message from Agus, so that the HGBT program would continue and expand its sector.
"We also request that the HGBT program in accordance with President Jokowi's Regulation be continued and even expanded with the principle of no one left behind. Not only for the seven industrial sectors that currently receive facilities," he said.
Because, he said, the total HGBT value issued, including for electricity during 2021-2023, was IDR 51.04 trillion. Meanwhile, the added value for the national economy reached IDR 157.20 trillion, an increase of almost three times.
"This means that the benefits and multiplier effects are very large for exports, tax revenues, reducing fertilizer and investment subsidies," said Taufiek.
He explained, if the HGBT is abolished or not extended, later there will be opportunity lost for industries that will lead to a threefold decline in the economy.
"This also causes our products to become uncompetitive, which can result in factory closures and layoffs," he said.
Taufiek also reminded that the industry needs cheap gas both as energy and feedstock.
"Industrial players also get gas by buying, not free. From this perspective, it is clear that the government must attend," he said.
According to Taufiek, the certainty of the industry getting cheap gas is a priority.
Therefore, if indeed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Finance, including SKK Migas, states that they are unable to continue the HGBT program, the Ministry of Industry asks for options or other plans to open gas import taps from Gulf countries at a price that can touch 3 US dollars per MMBTU for the needs of export-oriented industrial estates and import-substitutions.
"Of course, this can reach six times the added value obtained from the HGBT of domestic gas. So, it can support the national industry to become resilient and strong and competitive at the Asean and global levels," he concluded.
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