Reduce Premium Fuel, Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Invites People To Use Environmentally Friendly Fuel

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government continues to educate the public in the use of fuel oil (BBM) which is more environmentally friendly. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif said that the effort was reflected in the steps taken by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to limit the outlets selling premium type of fuel starting this year.

"In accordance with Pertamina's blue sky program, premium sales outlets are starting to be reduced slowly, especially during the pandemic, where crude falls, substitution with Pertalite," he said in an official statement, Friday, August 27.

Arifin said many countries have started to abandon the use of low-octane premiums. There are only four countries in the world that currently consume premium with an octane rating (RON) of 88. Of the four countries, Indonesia is one of them.

Therefore, Arifin encourages people to leave the premium type of fuel. And, urge people to switch to using environmentally friendly fuels.

"We are left behind from Vietnam which is already Euro 4 and will enter Euro 5. We are still Euro 2," he said.

Furthermore, Arifin said that the purpose of this transition is to improve the quality of fuel and reduce gas emissions. In the long term, the development of vehicle technology demands better fuel quality.

"So we hope there will be a shift in consumption to a better one, namely Pertamax. In this case, we ask for support on how to respond well to this," he said.

As noted by the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), premium absorption during January to July 2021 is relatively low. During January-July 2021, Premium consumption has only reached 2.71 million kiloliters (KL), or only 27.18 percent of this year's quota of 10 million KL.

For information, premium types of fuel are included in the Special Assignment Fuel Type (JBKP) whose selling price is regulated by the government, the same as subsidized diesel. Premium sales in Indonesia are currently only carried out by Pertamina based on government assignments.