"Yes, there was a plan about it but after it is calculated (we find that) it will burden the people," Panjaitan said here on Saturday.
Panjaitan ensured that the premium type of fuel no longer had many consumers, but the price was maintained because the President cared for the people who still living under the poverty line.
"Currently, the planned increase in premium price is still calculated by the government while continuing to monitor global oil price developments.
The minister also stressed that the announcement of premium price increase by Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Ignasius Jonan several days earlier but was later postponed was a matter of (lack of) communication.
"Following the announcement of the price increase, Deputy of Mining Business, Strategic Industries and Media of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises Fajar Harry Sampurno said the increase in premium price was decided to be postponed.
"The Minister of State-owned Enterprises (Rini Soemarno) has asked Jonan to postpone (the increase in premium price)," said Sampurno.
Previously, Jonan had announced that the government would increase the price of premium type of fuel to Rp7,000 per liter for Java, Madura and Bali (Jamali) and Rp6,900 per liter outside Jamali.
However, the decision was annulled in a matter of minutes because the President reportedly had not agreed to the price increase.
There are three matters that need to be considered related to premium prices based on Presidential Regulation Number 43 of 2018 concerning Amendments to Presidential Regulation No. 191 of 2014 concerning Provision, Distribution and Retail Price of Oil Fuel.
These three things are the state`s financial condition, the ability of people`s purchasing power, and the real condition of the economy.
Reporting by Satyagraha
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
