Prabowo had previously instructed Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia to allow retailers to resume selling the subsidized LPG, reversing a prior restriction imposed by the ministry.
"The distribution of 3-kg gas has returned to normal since the President instructed that sales resume as usual," Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan stated while inspecting food and gas prices at Klender Market in East Jakarta on Wednesday.
He noted that the president's decision has helped restore LPG supply stability in the market, making it easier for residents to access cooking gas at reasonable prices.
"The mothers at the market also expressed their gratitude to the President for making the gas cylinder easier to purchase anytime," Hasan remarked.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had modified the distribution system by limiting the sale of 3-kg LPG cylinders exclusively to designated distributors starting February 1.
However, the measure reportedly made it difficult for many people to obtain subsidized LPG, forcing consumers to queue at designated distributors to make a purchase.
An elderly woman in South Tangerang, Banten, reportedly died from fatigue and deteriorating health after waiting in line to buy a subsidized LPG cylinder on Monday. Minister Lahadalia has since issued an apology for the unfortunate incident.
He also stated that the government had decided to upgrade retailers to sub-distributors, allowing them to resume sales of the green-colored LPG cylinders.
Related news: Govt to strictly monitor 3-kg LPG cylinder distribution
Related news: Prabowo orders resumption of subsidized 3-kg LPG sales by retailers
Translator: M Harianto, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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