The Government Guarantees Of Solar Fishermen's Needs In Semarang Meets The Requirements To Become A Member Of The Cooperative

Illustration of a fisherman trying to meet the needs of diesel fuel for the ship used. (Between/Oky Lukmansyah)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir again mentioned the government's intervention in the Solar program for Cooperatives (SoluSi). Erick said this program is proof of President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) great concern for access to fuel oil for fishermen.

The SoluSi program is a collaboration of three ministries, namely the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, the Ministry of SOEs, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The implementation of the program is carried out by Pertamina through a business cooperation scheme with fishermen cooperatives.

Erick said, fishermen are protein heroes for the Indonesian nation. Therefore, the government must help and support fishermen so that they are easy to make a living and become prosperous.

"As an assistant to the President, I coordinate with Pak Teten, the Minister of Cooperatives and Pak Trenggono, the Minister of KKP to find ways to make fishermen helped by the easy supply of diesel fuel and the same price. President Jokowi's attention to fishermen encourages the realization of solar programs for cooperatives," said Erick Thohir in an official statement, quoted on Sunday, October 30.

On this basis, Erick requested that fishermen in Tambak Lorok flock to become members of the local fishing cooperative so that they could buy diesel according to official prices.

Erick said, the plan is for a Pertashop, the results of Pertamina's cooperation and one of the cooperatives in Tambak Lorok will soon be established to support the program.

"If you trust President Jokowi, and also agree that this program can improve the welfare of fishermen, because this program has been successful in Cilacap, then immediately become a member of the cooperative so that you have certainty about getting diesel easily and affordable. In January 2023 I will come again to check," he said.

During a working visit to Central Java, apart from ensuring the location of Pertashop for the SoluSi program, Erick Thohir also took the time to see the activities of Tambak Lorok's housewives who are members of the Mekaar PNM program.