Bahlil Affirms Purchase Of Fuel Without Barcodes In Disaster Areas Is Only Temporary

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

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has freed the use of barcodes for the purchase of gas stations in disaster areas. This step is an emergency effort so that fuel distribution can run smoothly in disaster-affected areas.

"There is no need to use barcodes (BBM), this is in order to anticipate all (distribution disturbances)," said Bahlil, Wednesday. December 3.

Bahlil emphasized that this policy is only temporary with the consideration that hydrometereological disasters have caused disruptions in the distribution of fuel and electricity, cut off the internet network, and paralyzed access to transportation due to landslides and broken bridges in a number of areas.

The government asks the public that the implementation of this policy runs effectively in the field and is only used for very urgent needs.

"I beg my brothers and sisters here, so please don't misuse them. This means that we have to use them properly according to our needs," Bahlil explained.

This emergency policy, he continued, is expected to facilitate the supply of fuel for logistics distribution, mobilization of heavy equipment, and the movement of disaster management teams that have been hampered by network disruptions and the difficulty of access to affected locations.

To support smooth distribution, the Government through PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has accelerated delivery and added fuel tankers and transportation personnel. The government together with the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) have also provided operational relaxation so that the allocation of fuel can be moved between regencies/cities in the same province when confirmed, adjusting the changes in access routes that arise after the disaster.