Ban On Buying Fuel Using Jerry Cans, South West Coast Fishermen Hope To Build Special Gas Stations

Jayanti beach pier in Cidaun District, Cianjur, West Java, is ready to be used as a special gas station location for fishermen. (Antara/Ahmad F)

CIANJUR - Chairman of the All-Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNSI) of West Java (Jabar) Iwan Mustofa hopes to build a Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU) specifically for fishermen on the south coast of Cianjur.

He said that so far there has been no special gas station for fishermen on the south or north coast of West Java, so when they go to sea they have to queue like the general public.

"We will coordinate with the regional government so that there is a special gas station for fishermen to make it easier for them to get fuel when they want to go to sea, especially at this time they are not allowed to buy fuel using jerry cans," he said in Cianjur, Wednesday, April 13.

Therefore, he hopes that local, provincial and central governments can help the fishermen's desire to get subsidized fuel for their fishing needs with special gas stations built on the coast.

"We will try to make the southern coast of Cianjur a role model for other regions, so that when fishing, fishermen don't have to queue or have to ride with farmer groups to get fuel," he said.

One of the fishermen from Jayanti Beach, Cacu, hopes that this special gas station will be realized because at this time they can only queue at public gas stations or ride with farmer groups who have official permission to buy fuel for agricultural equipment.

"We hope that there will be a special gas station for fishermen, which has been our big dream, hopefully it can lighten the burden of more than a thousand fishermen on the south coast of Cianjur," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Cianjur Herman Suherman is ready to help fishermen to get subsidized fuel at special gas stations on the beach or strategic locations, by cooperating with entrepreneurs who are ready to invest.

"We will look for investors who are ready or we will coordinate with the provincial government, because the development requires a large amount of money. The regional government will help with various facilities, including permits," he said.