Regarding Elpiji Difficult To Get, Bahlil To The Community: Please Give Us Time

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

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia asked the public to give time during the transition period from purchasing 3 kg LPG in retailers to official bases. This hal follows complaints from people who have had difficulty getting 3 kg LPG for the past few days.

Bahlil ensured that there was no shortage that occurred, but the public had to cover a distance that was further away than usual to get LPG because the government prohibited purchases through retailers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, wherever you are, please give us a little time. We will finish it. There are no rare items. I guarantee it," Bahlil said at a press conference at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Monday, February 3.

He conveyed that the reason the government removed the purchase of fuel through retailers was because there were indications of a price game by retailers so that the public would improve 3 kg of LPG more expensive than the actual price.

"It's just that with a retailer that is not given, it's because what is usually played is at the bottom level," continued Bahlil.

He gave an example, in his domicile area in East Jakarta, people can collect 3 kg LPG from retailers who are only 100 meters from their homes, but with this new policy, people must travel up to 1 km to buy LPG in the official arena that has been appointed by Pertamina.

"This is the transition now. But I have asked that retailers who have met the requirements be raised to their status as a base so that we can control their prices. Because if they do not have the potential to abuse. This is the real transition," said Bahlil.

The general chairman of the Golkar Party ensures that the community and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can still buy 3 kg LPG and there are no quota and scarcity restrictions.

Bahlil added that so far the government has set a subsidy of Rp. 12,000 per 3 kg gas cylinder from the original price of Rp. 36,000 per tube. Meanwhile, based on the facts on the ground, most of the subsidies provided are not accepted by the people who are entitled

"I don't mean to be suspicious, there is a group of people who buy LPG with an unreasonable amount. What's this for? The price goes up, the volume is not fair, the price is played," said Bahlil.

For this reason, Bahlil said the government took the break by making regulations requiring the purchase of LPG to be carried out at the authorized base that had been provided, he also threatened to revoke the base permit which was caught playing the price of 3 kg LPG.