Mutual Accusations Who Plays Elpiji Subsidy

Photo By Luthfia Arifah Ziyad (VOI)

JAKARTA - LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) 3 kg since it was introduced as an alternative household fuel to replace kerosene and Bahar wood has received widespread public revenue. As fuel that is considered efficient and practical. In fact, our dependence on LPG is almost 100 percent compared to other fuels.

Seller of subsidized LPG gas cylinders. (Between-Rendhik Andika)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

So that finally LPG, especially since the government diverted the use of LPG in 2007 from the energy of kerosene and firewood. Elpiji is the item needed to cook every house and for small businesses. Especially after the government decided to issue a policy of using 3 kg LPG, for the Minkin community, with the provisions of embedding the subsidies in it.

The community has finally become dependent on the use of LPG energy as the only energy to meet basic needs for cooking. Including for MSMEs to run various business activities.

Minister Bahlil said subsidies for LPG reached 87 trillion/year. Leaks through voting, price games at the retail level, to selling prices that are more expensive than the (Highest Retail Price) set by the government at the consumer level.

According to him, the gas of 3 kg of melon cylinders is subsidized at 12,000/kg so that per subsidy tube provided by the state ranges from 36,000/tubes. Until the selling price to the community must range from less than 20,000. Elpiji, which is non-subsidized, is 2 times the price. So that many actors are tempted to outsmart the figure by mixing or reducing heavy scales or selling more expensively.

Karena pertimbangan itu menteri Bahlil melakukan berbagai upaya yang intinya agar subsidi itu bisa sampai ke pihak yang berhak. Langkah itu antara lain dilakukan sejak 1 Januari 2024, pembelian LPG Tabung 3 Kg hanya dapat dilakukan oleh pengguna LPG hanya dilakukan secara terdata, pembeli ditinta menyerahkan KTP dan kartu KK saat akan membeli tabung gas Melon. Seperti hembauan yang diluarkan Direktur Jenderal Minyak dan Gas Bumi Tutuka Ariadji. Kemudian disusul dengan keputan Menteri tentang pencer gas Lpiji subsidi oleh Menteri Bahlil.

So that the sudden change in trading procedures as carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources recently, with restrictions on distribution only reaching the level of deviation, does not reach the retail level. Consumers are asked to look for gas only at the base. Steps make people difficult and create chaos, to chaos in the community. The decision issued by the Director General of Oil and Gas, which will be implemented starting February 1

Distribution is limited only to confinement. As a result of shocks in society, it has an impact on unrest in the community because people cannot access LPG to retail stalls. The rules that are considered without mitigation and careful consideration are considered to be unbiased, causing a commotion and panic in the community because it is difficult to find gas in a number of places.

Bahlil Lahadalia argued that the findings of the distribution of 3 kilograms of subsidized LPG by retailers were findings by the Supreme Audit Agency in 2023. That is the basis for which he prohibits the sale of melon LPG gas sold by retailers.

"Everything has been studied in depth, so this is actually goods from 2023, the results are an audit from the BPK, that there is abuse from retailers," said Bahlil at the Presidential Palace, Tuesday, last week.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources previously assessed that Pertamina could only control the leak of LPG subsidy funds for LPG retailers because the allocation of Subsidies could not be controlled by Pertamina, only could control the disbursion of enpiji in agents and bases, so that the subsidy was deemed not on target.

Luckily, President Prabowo finally took the decision to annul the decision and asked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to return retailers to be able to sell 3 kg LPG gas to overcome the chaos that almost became khaes. As a result of the policy that Bahlil considered rash. He asked retailers to be used again to sell 3 kg LPG gas, while fixing retail administration which amounted to 370.000 throughout Indonesia as a sub base.

Retailers, considered as "small business actors" in the LPG gas distribution chain, actually play an important role. They are the spearhead that ensures LPG gas reaches the hands of consumers, especially in remote or remote areas. Without retailers, LPG gas distribution will be hampered, and people will find it difficult to access this vital energy.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, will regulate the distribution of subsidized diesel. (photo: nailin/voi)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

When Bahlil Targets Retailers

To overcome the chaotic LPG gas price, concrete steps are needed from all parties, including the government, producers, distributors, and retailers. Several solutions that can be considered include: strict supervision, directed subsidies and distribution efficiency.

First, the government needs to increase supervision of the LPG gas distribution chain to prevent unhealthy hoarding or speculation practices. Furthermore, considering the expansion of LPG gas subsidies for 12 kg tubes, especially for low-income people. Finally, it is to increase the efficiency of supply chains to reduce distribution costs, so that the selling price can be more affordable.

PDIP politician Adian Napitupulu refused to be scapegoated, according to him, the perpetrators of mixing LPG gas were different from retailers, scatterers only made a thousand or two thousand rupiahs of profit. Meanwhile, the polling officer was the person who looked for gas there yesterday to be mixed to be sold into gas instead of subsidies or commercial, fortunately it was big.

What the government should have done was not scapegoating black but raiding and arresting the crime. Not only blaming retailers. "Why do people make stalls because the state has failed to create jobs for them", he told VOI.

A similar opinion was also conveyed by economist from UI who is also the Director of IDEAS (Institute For Democracy and Poverty Studies), Yusuf Wibisono, assessing that the leak actually occurred at the agent level. According to him, the 3 Kg LPG subsidy gas leak is not only in the form of LPG purchases of 3 Kg by middle - upper households. "Also purchases by industry and large businesses, so there is a possibility of leakage of 3 Kg LPG subsidies at the agent level," he told VOI, Senen, February 10.