The Three Kilograms Of LPG Gas Subsidy Program Is Still Needed By The Community

Illustration. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission XI DPR RI, Ecky Awal Mucharam, stated that the three-kilogram LPG commodity subsidy program is still needed by the people, so there should be no discourse to abolish it because what is needed is to improve the distribution system.

"The three kg LPG gas commodity subsidy is still needed by the people. However, the government must improve the target recipients so that the three kg LPG gas recipients are in accordance with the target, namely the poor, or vulnerable to poor, and / or underprivileged or underprivileged groups," said Ecky Awal Mucharam quoted from Antara, Wednesday, September 30.

For this reason, Ecky wants the relevant authorities to really guarantee the availability of the 3 kg LPG gas to the people who are entitled to receive it at an affordable price.

He also emphasized that his faction recommended that the electricity subsidy for the people who use electricity at 450 VA and 900 VA be continued.

"This is very important to maintain the purchasing power of the lowest people who are being hit hard by this pandemic. So that their basic energy needs can be fulfilled at a low cost so that they remain productive," he said.

Previously, Commission VII DPR RI questioned the three kilograms (kg) LPG quota to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources at a working meeting in Jakarta, Wednesday, September 2.

What is questionable is the government's decision on the LPG quota for the 2021 fiscal year. In the 2021 Financial Note, the government has decided to reduce the 3 kg LPG quota to 7 million metric tons.

Whereas in June 2020 it was agreed that 3 kilograms of LPG would be in the range of 7.5 million-7.8 million metric tons.

Doni Maryadi, a member of Commission VII DPR RI, said that the 3 kilograms LPG quota should increase every year, especially in the face of a pandemic.

Still on the same occasion, the Minister of EMR, Arifin Tasrif, the Ministry itself has decided to prepare 7 million metric tons of 3 kg LPG by looking at the realization data in the previous year.

For this, the Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will continue to suppress the distribution rate that is not on target so as not to increase the 3 kg LPG quota while the number of recipients is increasing.