JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the Government will transfer imports of Crude Oil and Fuel from Singapore to the United States (US). This policy was issued as part of Indonesia's negotiations with the US to suppress the US trade balance deficit, so that the Indonesian export rate set at 32 percent could be lowered.
Responding to this, Energy Economy Observer from Gadjah Mada's In Diversity, Fahmyani, said that the transfer of oil imports to the US would indeed address the problem of the US trade balance deficit, but could potentially cause new problems for Indonesia.
"Imports of Crude Oil from the USA are not necessarily in accordance with Pertamina's oil refinery to produce fuel," he said, Monday, May 12.
According to him, the US is not necessarily able to provide imports of Pertalite, which must be blended, because it is not sold in the US.
On the other hand, Fahmy also highlighted the import price of crude oil which should be more expensive than the price of oil in Singapore because logistics costs are more expensive.
"Mafia oil and gas, which has been hunting for fuel import rents from Singapore, will definitely make efforts to prevent the transfer of imports from Singapore to the US," explained Fahmy.
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For this reason, Fahmy said, if Bahlil forced to continue to transfer oil imports from Singapore to the US, the Government must ensure that the specifications of Crude Oil in accordance with Pertamina and AS refinements to produce Pertalite.
In addition, the import price from the US must be at least the same as the import price from Singapore. For this reason, the government must be determined to eradicate the oil and gas mafia which will hinder the transfer of imports from Singapore to the US.
"Without these various efforts, the policy of diverting oil imports will address the US trade balance deficit, but will also cause new problems. Government policies should address problems without causing new problems," said Fahmy.
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