Depots needed to sell kerosene at fixed price<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Councillors called on the city administration on
\nMonday to establish kerosene outlets in cooperation with state-
\nowned oil company Pertamina to provide the oil at a fixed price.<\/p>\n
\"It's the city administration's moral obligation to keep the
\nprice of kerosene low,\" said councillor Tjuk Sudono of the
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN) faction.<\/p>\n
\"While awaiting the completion of the depots, the city
\nadministration should ask Pertamina's Domestic Marketing Unit
\n(UPDN) to hold a special market operation to sell kerosene at the
\nofficial price,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Tjuk was commenting on reports that kerosene distributors have
\nstarted to stock their supply before the new price takes effect
\non April 1. The price is set to rise from Rp 280 (3 US cents) to
\nRp 350 per liter. Currently, resellers sell kerosene at Rp 500
\nper liter.<\/p>\n
\"Organizing a market operation for kerosene will be easier
\nthan compared to the one for rice. We produce kerosene daily,
\nunlike rice which needs time to grow and takes time to harvest.\"<\/p>\n
He said any market operation would be a test case for the new
\nPertamina president, Baihaki Hakim.<\/p>\n
\"It will be a sign of his commitment to poor residents,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Tjuk, a member of the council's Commission D for development
\naffairs, also questioned why Pertamina didn't impose strict price
\ncontrols on kerosene, which is used widely by those people on a
\nlow income.<\/p>\n
\"Perhaps it is because Pertamina considers it a minor problem
\nwhen compared to the distribution of premium gasoline,\" he said,
\nbefore adding that kerosene prices had the potential to spark
\ngreater social unrest than was currently being estimated.<\/p>\n
\"Pertamina-controlled fuel stations sell premium at Rp 1000
\nper liter nationwide. Pertamina should also establish standard-
\nprice kerosene stations,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He also said that kerosene prices impacted upon more people
\nthan just poor ones.<\/p>\n
\"Wealthy people sometimes eat at sidewalk eateries whose
\nstoves use kerosene as fuel. The price hike will affect eatery
\nowners too,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Councillor Syarif Zulkarnaen, who chairs the council's
\nCommission B for economic affairs, shared Tjuk's opinion.<\/p>\n
\"City residents, especially poor ones, use kerosene in a lot
\nof their activities. They must have the opportunity to buy
\nkerosene at a lower price,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Syarif, a member of the United Development Party (PPP)
\nfaction, also suggested the government establish stations selling
\nkerosene at the official price, just like premium gasoline.<\/p>\n
\"This way residents can choose whether to buy kerosene from
\nthose stations at cheaper price or from resellers charging a
\nhigher price,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Kerosene stations will at least minimize, if not eliminate,
\nthe possibilities of price speculation,\" he added. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/depots-needed-to-sell-kerosene-at-fixed-price-1447893297",
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