"We cannot force them to do it but we could only make an appeal" Deputy Minister of Energy Rudi Rubiandini said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has urged owners of luxurious cars to use non-subsidized fuel oils as their quotas are predicted to be used up by December 24.

"Have an empathy with those deserving the subsidy," Deputy Minister of Energy Rudi Rubiandini said here on Wednesday.

He said technically luxurious cars must use non-subsidized gasoline such as "Pertamax" and "Pertamax Plus" to preserve their engines.

A lot of the cars however are still using the subsidized premium gasoline despite the fact that it has a low octane, he added.

The minister appealed to the car owners to have a moral obligation by not buying subsidized gasoline for this month.

"We cannot force them to do it but we could only make an appeal" he said.

He said the government would stop selling subsidized gasoline in stations located in elite areas. "It this could be carried out forever that would be better," he added.

He said the government however would strive to prevent shortage of supply of the subsidized oils after December 24.

"In financial terms it indeed could not be increased but the government certainly would not stay idle," he said.

State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina spokesman Ali Mudakir meanwhile had assured that subsidized oil supply in Jakarta and its vicinities is safe.

He said the gasoline stock at its terminal in Plumpang that serves distribution to Jakarta and its vicinities is sufficient.

Distribution of subsidized oils to filling stations in the city has been normal after the revocation of the government`s policy to control their distribution on November 25.

Distribution of premium and diesel fuel to Jakarta and its surrounding areas from October 25 to November 25 2012 was averagely 10 percent above the normal daily distribution.

On November 27 distribution of premium would even reach 14,162 kiloliters or 29 percent above the average normal level while diesel fuel 4,448 kiloliters or 22 percent above the normal level, he said.

The government has predicted the quota of subsidized oils set at 44,04 million kiloliters in the revised budget of 2012 would be used up by December 24, 2012.

Based on Pertamina data by November 20, 2012 realization of subsidized fuel distribution has reached 39.7 million kiloliters consisting of 24.9 million kiloliters of premium and 13.7 million kiloliters of diesel fuel.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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