The visit was also aimed at ensuring the affordability of energy access for the public, the main topic of discussion at the 2nd Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) meeting in Labuan Bajo, NTT, from June 23–25, 2022.
Accompanied by NTT Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat, Tasrif reviewed the fishermen's public fuel gas station (SPUBN) and the Labuan Bajo Aircraft Fuel Depot (DPPU).
He received a report from the gas station manager regarding the smooth supply and distribution of fuel in the community and industry.
"At non-public service obligation (PSO) gas stations, fuel distribution is also running well. The aviation fuel depot also shows a good situation," the minister noted in a press statement received here on Friday.
Furthermore, Tasrif asked state-run oil company PT Pertamina to anticipate a surge in demand considering that Labuan Bajo has been designated as a priority tourism destination by the government.
"We have to anticipate the fuel demand since Labuan Bajo will be visited by many tourists. The need for fuel and aviation fuel will increase," Tasrif explained.
He also asked PT Pertamina to boost the safety level and logistics network at each fuel infrastructure.
"This is still too simple, we ask to improve the logistics to become more efficient and affordable," Tasrif remarked.
The government is hoping that the arrangement of logistics operations will have an impact on efficiency given the current spike in global oil prices.
"The world oil price has reached US$100–120 per barrel, the economic price of RON 90 and RON 92, on average, is already above Rp30 thousand per liter. We have to anticipate this because the end of the energy crisis cannot be predicted," he emphasized.
Tasrif then noted that fuel prices in Indonesia are much lower than in other countries.
"Pertalite (RON 90) is being sold for only Rp7,650 per liter in Indonesia, while Pertamax (RON 92) is being sold for Rp12,500 per liter. Therefore, we need to remind the public to use fuel as efficiently as possible. This will impact the swelling in subsidies," Tasrif said.
Meanwhile, there are several fuel needs of fishermen that have not been met, the minister noted.
“However, we have prepared the mechanism. Governor Laiskodat will help resolve it. Hopefully, there would be a permanent recommendation for this issue," he said in response to a report from head of the Indonesian Fishermen Association (HNCI), Blassus Janu, regarding the fuel issues faced by fishermen.
The fuel needs of the community must be prioritized, Tarsi added. For this reason, the government will consider increasing the fuel allocation.
"If our fishermen need it, the government must provide. But there are several rules on how we distribute it. For example, for fishermen with three gross tonnage (GT) ships," he said.
The minister also lauded the strict supervision of fuel distribution, both subsidized and non-subsidized, in NTT. The realization of the subsidized fuel distribution in NTT has reached 44 percent as of June 19.
"Fuel distribution is quite good. The community is quite orderly. We hope that the border areas will be closely monitored," the minister remarked.
Based on Pertamina's data, as of June 20, the realization of Pertalite fuel in NTT has reached 152,829 kiloliters, while the realization of diesel has reached 65,646 kiloliters.
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Translator: Kelik Dewanto, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
