There Are Persons Playing Prices, Bahlil Removes Elpiji Distribution Through Retails

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

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahll Lahadalia revealed the reasons behind the government's decision to abolish the sale of 3 kg LPG through retailers. Bahlil said this was done because there were individuals who played the price of LPG which had been subsidized by the government. In fact, the government did not carry out restrictions on the 3 kg LPG quota in circulation.

"So far, Pertamina has supplied to agents, agents supply to bases, bases supply to retailers. Reports that come to us are playing a price," Bahlil told the media crew at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Monday, February 3.

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 facts in the field, most of the subsidies given 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, the General Chairperson of the Golkar Party said the government took a 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.

"Indeed, with the retailer who was not given, the kaarena that is usually played is at the bottom level," said Bahlil.

Bahlil admitted that he had also been ordered by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran to directly check the availability of 3 kg LPG at official bases.

Although he no longer gives permission to retailers to distribute LPG, Bahlil ensures that his party will raise the status of retailers to become official distributors if they meet the requirements submitted by the government.

"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 don't have the potential to abuse. This is the real transition," explained Bahlil.

Bahlil also ensured that currently there is no shortage of LPG as has been reported, but the government is currently arranging a scheme so that 3 kg LPG can be accepted by MSMEs and eligible communities.

"Ladies and gentlemen, wherever you are, please give us a little time. We will finish it. There are no rare items. I guarantee it," said Bahlil.