Deputy Chairperson Of Commission VII DPR Eddy Soeparno Reviews Gas Stations In Makassar, Urges The Public Not To Switch To Pertalite

Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Eddy Soeparno. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Eddy Soeparno paid a working visit to Makassar, South Sulawesi. During his visit, Eddy monitored the guaranteed supply of fuel oil (BBM), gas and electricity ahead of Eid.

Eddy explained that during the visit, the team also directly inspected the Makassar PLN command center and one of the gas stations on Jalan Dr. Sam Ratulangi Makassar. Various things that are seen are how PLN anticipates electricity problems and responds quickly to these obstacles, as well as how the community's response is affected by the increase in Pertamax prices and how the availability of diesel fuel at gas stations, especially gas stations located on inter-city roads.

According to Eddy, in South Sulawesi, especially Makassar City, there is indeed a migration of people's fuel consumption from Pertamax to Pertalite, but the migration is not massive.

"We also saw directly at the gas station today whether there was a surge in demand for pertalite after Pertamax increased the price and it turned out that there was indeed a migration but it was not massive. We also saw whether the fuel readiness was available here, whether there was a queue, apparently not," said Eddy. in a written statement, Friday 8 April.

For this reason, he appealed to the Pertamax user community not to switch to Pertalite. Because, according to him, pertalite is a subsidized fuel that should indeed be used for people who have the right to use it and need it.

"Because after all, pertalite is a fuel that is now subsidized fuel, so people who can afford it should have made an awareness of their abilities and then continue to use or switch to using Pertamax," he added.

Furthermore, Eddy also appreciated the readiness of Pertamina and PLN South Sulawesi in anticipating and preparing for energy needs during the month of Ramadan. He assessed that the preparation of Pertamina and PLN in facing Eid for the Sulawesi region as a whole was quite good.

"We have monitored through the PLN command center, we have received an explanation from the Director of Pertamina about Pertamina's readiness and are assured that Pertamina is ready both from the aspect of fuel, availability, and distribution," he explained.

Although overall it is considered ready, Eddy said Commission VII will continue to monitor the development of readiness ahead of the holiday through hearings and monitoring of DPR members in each electoral district.

"Even though there will be a recess later, each member who will return to his/her electoral district will be able to provide reports to Pertamina and PLN if there are problems in the field," he continued.

The working visit of Commission VII in South Sulawesi this time met with the Director General of Oil and Gas KESDM, Director General of Electricity KESDM, Head of BPH Migas, Directors of PT Pertamina (Persero), Directors of PT PLN (Persero), Representatives of the South Sulawesi Provincial Government, Makassar City Government Representatives in Marketing Operation Region VII PT Pertamina (Persero).

To note, PT Pertamina (Persero) in anticipation of increasing community mobility ahead of Eid will form a task force (task) starting April 11-10 May 2022 involving the Pertamina Holding-Subholding Team and related agencies. In addition, Pertamina will also provide additional fuel services on potential routes and prepare the Integrated Enterprise Data & Command Center (IEDCC), which is an energy distribution information center that will be on standby 24 hours.