Regarding Fuel Subsidy Changed To BLT, Bahlil: No Decision

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that his party is still reviewing the possibility of changing the fuel subsidy to Direct Cash Assistance (BLT). For this reason, he emphasized that there has been no decision regarding the change in the scheme.

"There has been no decision until like that (so BLT)," said Bahlil, quoted on Tuesday, October 22.

Bahlil said that until now his party is still looking for schemes and formats so that subsidized fuel can be accepted by the people who are entitled.

"There has been no decision until that. But we are still looking for a good and correct format. So that subsidized fuel is right on target. The target is that fuel is right on target," continued Bahlil.

As for the low sulfur fuel policy, which was widely reported before, Bahlil also said that currently there was no decision regarding the policy. He emphasized that he was still in discussions with President Prabowo Subianto.

"Not yet, it has a macro, but the general direction is there, but the details I have to discuss again with the President," explained Bahlil.

Previously, the Executive Director of the Committee for the Elimination of Pambal Gasoline (KPBB) Ahmad Safrudin urged the government through the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to immediately accelerate the implementation of low sulfur fuel oil (BBM) in Indonesia.

"EsDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia must directly order Pertamina to only be allowed to produce fuel that meets the Euro 4 standard," said Ahmad, Thursday, October 10.

He added that Pertamina's appointment to produce standard Euro 4 fuel (50 ppm sulfur content) will be a crucial solution in tackling air pollution in Jakarta and other major cities.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, he said, has actually established an obligation to provide sulfur low fuel since October 2018 for gasoline, and April 2022 for diesel. However, according to him, implementation in the field is still slow.

"That is the government's obligation, especially the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, which must ensure the availability of fuel supplies throughout Indonesia, which has the standard of Euro 4. Second, Pertamina has no other option, except to comply with regulatory regulations," he said.