Pertamina Calls The State A Loss If Consumption Of Subsidized Fuel Rises, PKB: If You Only Make Profit, Don't Become A State, Become A VOC!

Illustration of people filling fuel oil or Pertalite fuel at Pertamina gas stations. (Between)

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina (Persero) said the state could suffer losses if many people switched from fuel oil or non-subsidized fuel to subsidized fuel.

Member of House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII, Luqman Hakim, disagreed with the statement by the President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Nicke Widyawati. She mentioned it in an event on a private television station recently.

"If you're just looking for profit, don't be a state! Be a VOC!" Luqman wrote via his Twitter account, @LuqmanBeeNKRI, Thursday, July 14.

The PKB politician assessed that Pertamina as a State-Owned Enterprise in charge of oil and gas did not deserve to do business for profit with its masters, namely the people.

"This country was formed to promote the welfare of the people, not to make a profit by doing business with the people themselves!", she said.

Luqman said the losses suffered by SOEs due to people's consumption must be found a solution. Instead of blaming the people who have mandated ministry leaders, including SOE officials, to run the company's wheels for the welfare of citizens.

"If you don't want to lose for the sake of the people, there is no need for a government elected by the people. It is enough to be led by Governor Daendeles!" said Luqman.

Previously, President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Nicke Widyawati, said that many people are currently switching consumption from non-subsidized fuel to subsidized fuel.

The consumption shift was motivated by the latest prices for Pertamax Turbo to Pertamina Dex. According to Nicke, this consumption shift has the potential to harm the state.

The post-pandemic economic recovery, said Nicke, has had an impact on increasing community mobility so that the trend of fuel sales also increases.

If this trend continues, it is predicted that Pertalite and Solar will exceed the quota set by the government.

Nicke also asked people who use subsidized fuels such as Solar and Pertalite to save money.

"This government subsidizes very largely for every liter of Pertalite sold. Meanwhile, for diesel, the subsidies are even greater, so actually, the effort that can be done from the community side is saving fuel use", said Nicke.