Bahlil Denies That Pink Gas Will Replace Subsidized LPG

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

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia denied the sale of 3 kilograms (kg) of non-subsidized pink aka Bright Gas in the midst of a subsidized 3 kg LPG shortage.

According to Bahlil, 3 kg Bright Gas was sold by PT Pertamina (Persero) in 2018, but currently the product is no longer circulated.

"Regarding the 3 kg LPG ( pink color), Pertamina has never issued it, it was in 2018, but it seems as if it exists (in the present)," said Bahlil, quoted on Tuesday, February 4.

Bahlil said, with the false information circulating, it actually indicates that there are parties who are not happy with the government's efforts to curb the distribution of 3 kg of subsidized LPG so that it is right on target.

"That there are those who are uncomfortable if we want to order the process for distribution from retailers, but unfortunately we respect retailers, and we give the best for the community," continued Bahlil.

This was confirmed by a statement by Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri who said that currently Pertamina only sells non-subsidized LPGs measuring 5.5 kg and 12 kg.

"So there are no 3 kg of non-subsidized pink," he said on the same occasion.

Simon explained that actually this gas cylinder was indeed sold in 2018 gas 3 with the aim of conducting market tests.

The sale of this gas is only carried out for 6 months with 2,000 tubes circulated in Jakarta and 1,000 tubes in Surabaya.

The trial was also to see the interests of the middle class who should not be a subsidized LPG user.

"But it was in 2018, so we conveyed the news was hoax news," said Simon.

Simon also threatened to take firm action if it was found that there was a practice of seeking profit.

"For this reason, if there are activities or practices that take place at Pertamina, which of course seek profit by having to pay at certain costs, please report them so that we can brush them off," he said.