Govt mulls raising fuel quota<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta,Kupang,Yogyakarta,Bandung<\/p>\n
The government is considering raising the fuel quota for this
\nyear as it scrambles to arrest a fuel shortage beleaguering
\nprovinces across the country for the past few weeks.<\/p>\n
It also appealed to the public at large on Tuesday to reduce
\nfuel consumption.<\/p>\n
State Minister for State Enterprises Sugiharto said the
\nquestion of raising the fuel quota would be discussed soon with
\nthe House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"There have been differences between the government and the
\nHouse over the fuel quota. A sufficient quota is needed, but at
\nthe same time efficiency efforts should be promoted,\" Sugiharto
\nsaid at the State Palace.<\/p>\n
He explained that this year's quota was not in line with real
\ndomestic demand, which has continued to rise over the past few
\nyears.<\/p>\n
The House agreed to reduce the country's fuel quota for this
\nyear to 59.6 million kiloliters from 62.5 kiloliters last year
\nin a bid to cut subsidy spending and force the public at large to
\nuse fuel more efficiently.<\/p>\n
Based on the state budget, this year's fuel subsidy allocation
\nwas set at Rp 76.5 trillion (US$7.88 billion). However, due to
\nrising global oil prices and higher demand, the required spending
\nis likely to soar to over Rp 110 trillion.<\/p>\n
The subsidy will only cover domestic demand for premium
\ngasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene.<\/p>\n
Sugiharto, however, stressed that although there would be an
\nincrease in the quota, the government would stick to its plan to
\nlimit the supply of premium gasoline and diesel fuel to gas
\nstations at weekends.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso called on people here to
\nbe thrifty in using fuel.<\/p>\n
\"The fuel supply here will be sufficient as long as residents are
\nthrifty about using fuel,\" Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, many motorists gave up queuing for premium
\ngasoline priced at Rp 2,400 per liter and purchased high-quality
\npertamax gasoline at Rp 4,000 per liter, as seen at gas stations
\non Jl. MT Haryono in Central Jakarta, and in Rawamangun and
\nPrumpung in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, motorists have begun to leave
\ntheir vehicles at home as they failed to get premium gasoline.<\/p>\n
Half of the city's public transportation vehicles and
\nintercity buses had also stopped operating since Tuesday morning.
\nMany fishing boats had also be left tied up.<\/p>\n
Motorists complained that some small retailers had been taking
\nadvantage of the situation by raising prices up to Rp 7,500 per
\nliter.<\/p>\n
Similarly in Yogyakarta, the shortage of premium gasoline has
\nresulted in the price soaring to Rp 4,000 from the normal price
\nof between Rp 2,600 and Rp 2,700 per liter at dozens of gas
\nstations in the city.<\/p>\n
In Bandung, the shortage has forced gas stations to ration
\ntheir customers to 75 liters per transaction.<\/p>\n
Fearing possible disturbances as long lines of motorists
\nqueued at gas stations, West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Edi
\nDarnadi assigned at least two police officers to stand guard at
\nevery gas station.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-mulls-raising-fuel-quota-1447893297",
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