Energy Observer Wanti-wanti Shell Et Al Can Leave If Mandatory To Buy Fuel From Pertamina

Private Fuel (Photo: Unsplash)

Energy Economy Observer at Gadjah Mada University, Fahmy Goodminton warned the government against opportunities for the departure of private gas station companies such as Shell and BP AKR regarding policies that require imports of one-stop fuel through PT Pertamina (Persero).

Fahmy assessed that the government seems to be returning governance in the downstream sector from liberalization back to regulatory policy. He explained that foreign companies were initially willing to invest in fuel gas stations because of liberal management. Foreign companies are free to set gas stations throughout Indonesia, free to procure fuel according to the quota set, free to set selling prices to consumers according to market mechanisms.

"With the procurement of One Stop Fuel imports, foreign gas stations are no longer free in the procurement of fuel imports. In fact, one of the sources of foreign gas station margins is the procurement of fuel imports that have the freedom to determine import countries at the cheapest price and to efiscise the cost of procuring fuel imports," he said, Tuesday, September 16.

He added, in importing One Stop Fuel, foreign gas stations can no longer import at the cheapest price, but must buy fuel from Pertamina at a set price by Pertamina.

Under these conditions, continued Fahmy, the margin for foreign gas stations will be smaller, even when foreign gas stations will lose money. With continued losses, it is possible that foreign gas stations will fall and close gas stations.

"At that time all foreign gas stations left Indonesia, at that time the management of downstream oil and gas was monopolized by Pertamina," he continued.

Fahmy added that the departure of foreign gas stations will have an impact on the investment climate in Indonesia, not only investment in the oil and gas sector but also other business sector investments.

"The worsening of the investment climate will certainly have an impact on the achievement of economic growth targeted by President Prabowo by 8 percent per year," added Fahmy.

Therefore, Fahmy asked the government to cancel the one-door import policy through Pertamina because it would have a negative impact on the Indonesian economy.

"The government should cancel the One Stop Fuel Import policy plan, which will be a blunder policy," said Fahmy.