Fuel Distribution To Remote Areas With Affordable Prices, Legislator: Pertamina Breaks Paths Very Complicated

Member of Commission VI DPR RI Nasim Khan. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VI DPR RI Nasim Khan appreciated Pertamina's efforts to continue to expand the distribution reach to remote areas of the country.

Including the distribution of non-subsidized fuel oil (BBM) to various remote areas that are very difficult to reach and in terms of business is actually unfavorable.

In fact, the distribution path is also considered as a complex and very complicated route.

"I appreciate Pertamina's efforts to continue to expand the non-subsidized fuel outlet. This will facilitate access to energy, so that people in remote areas can enjoy quality fuel," Nasim told reporters, Friday, June 28.

According to Nasim, Pertamina's efforts to serve fuel needs ranging from urban, rural to remote areas of the archipelago are a challenge in itself.

"The energy distribution carried out by Pertamina is currently the complex (complex) route, so it must be managed as well as possible," explained Nasim.

On the other hand, Nasim did not dismiss, Pertamina's distribution reach to remote areas was not entirely profitable from the business side.

However, according to the mandate of Law Number 19 of 2003 concerning State-Owned Enterprises, said Nasim, SOEs such as Pertamina, must carry out their role as business entities on the one hand, but at the same time they must carry out public service functions that not only consider commercial aspects.

"This is certainly different from the private sector," continued Nasim.

Pertamina's various efforts, explained Nasim, also play an important role in maintaining energy security while at the same time driving the economy throughout the country.

This is in accordance with the mandate of the law, that in managing national energy, Pertamina also refers to the principles of availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability and sustainability.

"One of Pertamina's current strategic roles is to maintain Indonesia's energy security while maintaining supply, following the increase in energy needs," concluded Nasim.

Regarding distribution to remote areas, Pertamina Patra Niaga President Director Riva Siahaan said this was a form of the company's commitment to providing better energy access for all Indonesian people.

"Currently there are more than 14 thousand fuel distribution agencies that Pertamina Patra Niaga manages, and this is spread throughout the areas, both urban and remote villages. This is part of energy justice, accessibility and convenience for the community to get fuel," explained Riva.

For regular gas stations themselves, currently there are more than 6,300 gas stations, then for Pertashop there are more than 6,600 outlets spread to villages.

Not to mention, continued Riva, Pertamina Patra Niaga also manages more than 400 fishermen's gas stations.

In terms of price, Riva said, Pertamina Patra Niaga distributes fuel at affordable prices, although in the process, the distribution is very diverse.

"In addition to accessibility, we also continue to support the government's efforts to maintain economic stability by providing the most competitive non-subsidized fuel prices," Riva concluded.

Previously, in a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Pertamina, Commission VI of the DPR also appreciated Pertamina's operational performance, including the distribution of fuel to remote areas.

At the RDP which took place in mid-June 2024, Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the DPR Aria Bima also encouraged Pertamina and all subholdings to ensure the availability, distribution and affordability of fuel and gas prices, increase supervision and evaluate the distribution system of subsidized fuel and gas, including optimization of digitalization in order to support national energy security.