Ombudsman Asks Government Not To Increase Pertalite Price: Don't Burden The Community

Ombudsman member Hery Susanto at a virtual press conference from Jakarta Screenshot via ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Ombudsman, a supervisory agency for the implementation of public services, has asked the government not to increase the price of subsidized fuel oil (BBM) for the type of pertalite and diesel because it can complicate the economic condition of the community.

"The option to increase the price of subsidized fuel is not the right and wise choice at this time," said Ombudsman member Hery Susanto in a press conference reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 25.

Hery said that if Pertalite rose to Rp. 10,000 per liter, the contribution to inflation was predicted to reach 0.97 percent.

According to him, the government must maintain the optimism of the people so that they can rise from the economic downturn which is the responsibility of the government.

“COVID has just subsided, the economy has not recovered, the public has been burdened with rising subsidized fuel prices. This is a problem in the public sphere," said Hery.

He conveyed that the Ombudsman advised the government to be careful in exploring all sources of state revenue and be able to cover the possibility of budget leakage from the APBN in every expenditure and transfer to the regions.

The government should set restrictions on two-wheeled vehicles under 250 cc and public transportation as the mode of transportation that is most widely used by the public and use subsidized fuel of Pertalite and Solar types instead of directly raising subsidized fuel prices.

The criteria for motorcycles and public transportation vehicles that use subsidized fuel of the Pertalite and Solar types should be included in the revision of Presidential Regulation Number 191 of 2014 concerning the supply, distribution, and retail selling price of fuel oil.

The government through Pertamina Patra Niaga must provide education and consultation for people who are prioritized to get subsidized fuel considering that there are still many people who do not know or understand about the registration of subsidized fuel quota through the MyPertamina application.

In addition, the government needs to carry out mobile refueling activities to locations based on the community's economy, such as groups of farmers, fishermen, market traders, and others because their economy is still vulnerable. This group is also the backbone of the national economy, which is considered to be in dire need of subsidized fuel.

The Ombudsman also suggested that the government optimize supervision and enforce strict sanctions against forms of irregularities and various practices of misuse of subsidized fuel so that the distribution of subsidized fuel can be more targeted.