PLN Corrects Viral News About Electricity Subsidies: That's Hoax

PLN illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PT PLN straightens viral news on social media about the electricity subsidy of 450 VA and 900 VA through a link circulating on the Whatsapp platform, some residents of Pamekasan, East Java in the last week.

"That's a hoax, PLN's electricity subsidy program for 450 VA and 900 VA does not go through the link and fill in complete personal data as in the circulating link," said PLN Pamekasan Area Manager Rudi Hartono in Pamekasan, Sunday, clarifying reported by Antara.

Links circulating on various Whatsapp groups that mention how to obtain electricity subsidies for 450 VA and 900 VA on the page: https://tokenpln.shop/index.php?app=PLN&data1ID=135.

On this page, netizens are asked to fill in their personal data, according to the data listed on the electronic KTP, as a prerequisite for getting electricity subsidies. "That's not true at all," said Rudi.

He also asked the public to be aware of all forms of fraud on behalf of PLN. This is because customers automatically get direct electricity subsidies if postpaid is in the form of a discount on the customer's electricity bill while prepaid is given when purchasing an electricity token.

"So there is no need to access tokens either on the web, Whatsapp or PLN Mobile services. We do not justify electricity subsidies / stimuli by entering personal data, especially filling out a questionnaire containing personal information that can be misused," he explained.

Furthermore, Rudi Hartono explained that the 450 VA and 900 VA electricity subsidies were a form of social protection in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. PLN provides electricity stimulus in the period April - June 2021.

The recipients of the electricity stimulus with the discount extension scheme are customers who are receiving government subsidies, namely household customers with an electric power of 450 VA and 900 VA. In addition, there are also small business customers with 450 VA electric power and small industry customers with 450 VA electricity.

This provision, he continued, is based on a letter from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia, which states that the stimulus for the April - June 2021 period will be given half of the amount from the previous period, namely:

1. Customers of 450 Volt Ampere power household, 450 VA small business and 450 VA small industry are given a 50 percent discount on electricity rates with a maximum usage of 720 hours of operation.

2. Subsidized 900 VA household customers are given a 25 percent electricity tariff discount with a maximum use of 720 hours on.

3. Exemption of expense or subscription fees, as well as exemption of a minimum account requirement of 50 percent for industrial, business and social customers.

Meanwhile, for the exemption of expenses, subscription, and exemption of minimum account provisions, the stimulus will be given automatically by cutting electricity bills for social, business and industrial consumers.

"A 50 percent discount is only given for the expense / subscription fee and the minimum account usage fee," he said, explaining.