Unplanned To Transfer 450 VA Electricity Customers, Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif Calls It Will Impact On Costs

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif revealed that currently the government has no plans to transfer 450 VA electricity customers to 900 VA.

Arifin assessed that the discourse was deemed inappropriate to be implemented at this time because the increase in electricity to 900 VA has the potential to increase electricity usage in line with the increase in costs.

"If the electricity goes up, there will definitely be an impact. Automatically the payments will follow 900 VA. Now, that's not clear, let alone put forward at times like this. So it's sensitive," said Arifin to the media in Jakarta, Saturday, September 17.

According to him, the government is currently focusing on making various efforts to improve the accuracy of the 450 Volt Ampere (VA) electricity subsidy. Data updates will be carried out carefully by considering the condition of the community nationally.

"If the arrangement is right on target, we are in the process of leading it so that those who really receive and need it can benefit," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif.

The existence of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes in social conditions, continued Arifin, have changed the data for the 450 VA electricity subsidy.

"We have mapped it out, but we have updated it again. Because with the Covid pandemic, the current conditions must change. We have to update something," he explained.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources itself has mapped data on electricity subsidy updates while still referring to the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Furthermore, the data will be re-verified in the field. This effort was carried out in accordance with recommendations from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

In line with Arifin, President Director of PT PLN (Persero) Darmawan Prasodjo ensured that there would be no removal of the customer group with a power of 450 VA. Electric power of 450 VA will also not be increased to 900 VA and there will be no changes in electricity rates.

"The Government's decision is very clear. There has been no change in power from 450 VA to 900 VA and PLN is ready to carry out the decision. So far, the Government and PLN as implementers of the electricity mandate from the Government have never held talks or discussions about changes to the electricity of the community," said PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo in a statement to the media, Saturday, September 17.

Darmawan emphasized that PLN continues to coordinate and communicate with the government to protect the public in getting electricity. PLN ensures that electricity services in the country remain reliable and optimal, thereby maintaining productivity and people's purchasing power during the economic recovery period amid rising world energy commodity prices.