Donald (44), a resident of Empunak Village, Ketungau Hulu Subdistrict, Sintang District, West Kalimantan, could not hide his joy at the presence of the Compact Gas Station 66,786,005, which provided one-price fuel for the Indonesian (West Kalimantan) border community with Malaysia, some time ago, or precisely from Nov 16, 2018.
"Earlier, people had to buy premium fuels from retail outlets, with the price per liter at Rp15 thousand, while the price of diesel fuel reached Rp11 thousand to Rp13 thousand per liter, if BBM is still smoothly distributed, " Donald stated.
At that time, in order to get fuel, both premium and diesel fuel, the people in the Empowered Village were forced to buy them at high prices, with the price even reaching thrice the selling price in general gas stations.
"We have been relying on the supply of small kiosks here so far, so that the selling price is much higher than the selling price of fuel at gas stations, such as those in cities," he noted.
Of course, the residents of Ketungau Hulu Subdistrict are very grateful and thankful to the government for setting up gas stations that provide fuel at one price. Hopefully, both diesel and premium fuels will still be available at the newly opened gas stations," he remarked.
As in other gas stations in other places, the one-price gas station in Tapang Keladan Hamlet also sells fuel at a standard price, namely premium fuel at Rp4,450 per liter and diesel fuel at Rp5,150 per liter, from the previous prices of Rp13 thousand to Rp20 thousand per liter.
The same thing was also acknowledged by Felix (35), one of the residents of the other Upper Ketungau. The presence of gas stations that sell fuel at one price is an extraordinary progress, and of course, the results of the attention of the government and related parties, such as BPH Migas, Pertamina, and others, in equitable development include providing fuel at prices similar to those in cities.
"We used to try for more than a week to get fuel. It was a difficult situation for our life and economy here. What we usually do is travel to the market or to the garden using motorbikes, because we can hardly do it," he noted.
For people in Ketungau Hulu Village, it takes around four hours to travel to the nearest market, such as in the Balai Karangan Subdistrict. Hence, the availability of BBM at affordable prices is very much needed for their motorized vehicles, both two-wheeler and four-wheeler.
Government is present
In the meantime, BPH Migas Director of Natural Gas, Tisnaldi, pointed out that if is seen from the economical level, the fuel price here is expensive (Ketungau Hulu Village), because the distance and road conditions are not good.
"The government is here to provide gas stations that provide one-price fuel for equal distribution to society. Hence, I remind you to avoid using the existing gas station facilities for personal gains and fraud. If any such acts are noticed, please do not hesitate to report it to the police," he warned.
He noted that nationally, from 2017 to 2019, there will be 160 one-price fuel suppliers in all 3T regions in Indonesia.
In 2017, there were 57 one-price BBM suppliers, with 54 suppliers by PT Pertamina (Persero) and 3 suppliers by PT AKR Corporindo TbK. In 2018, the target of 73 suppliers will be fulfilled, with 67 suppliers by Pertamina and 6 suppliers by AKR Corporindo Tbk.
Up to now, 93 one-price BBM distributors have been inaugurated, with 88 suppliers by Pertamina and 5 suppliers by AKR Corporindo TbK.
In 2019, 29 targeted dealers would operate by Pertamina and one distributor by AKR Corporindo Tbk.
"This one-price BBM program is due to President Joko Widodo`s direct policy delivered in Yahukimo, Papua, in October 2016. This program is the fulfillment of fair energy distribution program for all Indonesian people," Tisnaldi remarked.
According to him, the government is committed to the success of this program to create the same fuel prices in all regions.
Various modes of transportation are also used to facilitate the distribution of fuel, including operating BBM transport aircraft to a number of 3T areas. "The government and related parties are shoulder-to-shoulder in the implementation of the one-price BBM program to realize the fifth principle of the Pancasila, namely Social Justice for the entire Indonesian people," he revealed.
BPH Migas is responsible for the realization of three principles of justice, namely fairness of availability, fairness of distribution, and fairness of prices in the field of downstream oil and gas.
"We hope that the establishment of this Compact Gas Station can spur community economic growth. PT Pertamina is also expected to continue to guarantee fuel supply at this Compact Gas Station, so that today?s inauguration is not only a ceremonial implementation but also a continuation of the program in the future," he stressed.
Inspector General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Akhmad Syakroza, revealed that the government is currently focusing on building gas stations that provide one-price fuel, in order to provide equity and a sense of justice, especially for people in the 3T regions, including in West Kalimantan.
"This is a form of effort by the central government for equal distribution of justice to the community, especially in meeting fuel needs," he added.
The construction of a Compact Gas Station in the 3T areas is not an easy matter, considering the geographical location and high transportation costs. Therefore, its target needs to be ascertained, so that the one-price fuel distribution really needs to be monitored by all parties, including the community, in addition to supervision from local government and security forces.
"This one-price BBM program must not only be useful for certain industries and individuals but also for everyone who make use of this program," he highlighted.
Retail VII Sales Executive PT Pertamina (Persero) Andi Reza Ramadhan stated that PT Pertamina, (Persero) in distributing fuel to gas stations that provide one-price fuel, has provided a special fleet, such as in the Ketungau Hulu Subdistrict and Sokan District of Sintang District, which are hundreds of kilometers away from Sintang Depot and coupled with road conditions that are mostly still rocky and soil.
Editing by Yoseph Hariyadi
Reporter: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
