Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Calls Rice Cooker Distribution Free Per Package, Initial Stage Targeted For Completion At The End Of 2023

Rice cooker or electricity-based rice feeder. (Unsplash-MChe Lee)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif said the process of distributing rice cookers or free electricity-based rice feeders will be carried out per package or stage.

"(The distribution of electrical cooking utensils) is running. The distribution of packages (per) is being mapped again," said ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif on the sidelines of the Indonesia Mining Summit 2023 meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday, October 10, which was confiscated by Antara.

Arifin ensured that the distribution process would be in accordance with the package or each stage, so that the initial stage which was being processed would be completed this year.

"Yes, we will finish it (this year), this is a package per package. Now this year's package will be completed this year," he said.

He could not explain in detail who was entitled to receive the electrical cooking tool. However, according to him, this program can help reduce emissions.

"Then later the electricity needs can use renewable energy, for the use of electricity in the household it will indeed be one of our programs as well," he said.

Previously, the plan to distribute free rice feeders was contained in the Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 11 of 2023 concerning the Provision of Electricity-Based Cooking Equipment for Households. Even the technical instructions have been lowered through the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 548.K/TL.04/DJL.3/2023.

The Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jisman P Hutajulu, in his statement in Jakarta, Monday, October 9, said that there are certain criteria for people who are entitled to receive free electric cooking utensils from the government.

Namely, he said, those who are PLN or PLN Batam customers with a power of 450 - 1,300 VA (Volt Ampere) domiciled in the area are available 24 hours of electricity, and these households do not have electricity-based riceries.

Currently, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is preparing data on prospective recipients at the suggestion of a village head or level official, but it is stated that the number of beneficiaries of the government's rice grant is 500,000 units, with the hope that the tools distributed can save the use of LPG.

"The purpose of this program is to ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable access to clean energy. In addition, this program aims to reduce LPG imports used to cook, increase electricity consumption per capita, and support cleaner cooking technology," said Jisman.