Pertamina yet to resolve fuel crisis<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Indramayu<\/p>\n
Pertamina, the state-owned oil firm, said it would not supply
\nkerosene to the southern part of Central Java to help resolve the
\ncrisis there until it was instructed to do so.<\/p>\n
\"So far, there are no (planned) distributions of kerosene to
\nregions in Central Java facing the shortages,\" Lukman, head of
\nmarketing division in Pertamina's Balongan refinery in West Java,
\ntold The Jakarta Post on Thursday. \"We have not received any
\ninstruction from authorities to do that.\"<\/p>\n
Fuel distributions for Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces,
\nhe said, fall under the responsibility of the Pertamina marketing
\ndivision VI in Semarang.<\/p>\n
The kerosene crisis has spread from Purbalingga to the
\nregencies of Banyumas, Purwokerto and Cilacap in the southern
\npart of Central Java, causing prices to soar by almost 100
\npercent per liter.<\/p>\n
Kerosene is now sold there at between Rp 900 and Rp 1,000 per
\nliter, while the official price is only Rp 550 per liter.<\/p>\n
The shortages were due to rising demand ahead of the Idul
\nFitri and Christmas celebrations. This situation has been
\nexacerbated by local scalpers who have been stockpiling kerosene
\nfor higher profit.<\/p>\n
Central Java Governor Mardiyanto said he has been working with
\nlocal district administrations and Pertamina, as well as private
\nfuel distributors, to cope with the crisis.<\/p>\n
He vowed to take swift action against any speculators
\nstockpiling kerosene to manipulate prices.<\/p>\n
\"I will cooperate with Central Java Police Chief Insp. Gen.
\nErwin Mapasaeng to do that,\" he added. \"Any stockpilers will get
\na firm response, because they have violated the law -- I am not
\nplaying games.\"<\/p>\n
Mardiyanto said the crisis has imposed yet another harsh
\nburden on middle- and lower-class people, most of whom consume
\nkerosene.<\/p>\n
He specifically urged Pertamina to be proactive in helping
\nresolve the kerosene shortages.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, private distributors grouped in the Association of
\nOil and Gas Businessmen (Hiswana) in Banyumas have announced the
\nlaunch of a \"massive market operation\" to overcome the kerosene
\ncrisis across the Central Java.<\/p>\n
As part of the operation, every district will receive a supply
\nof 10 tanks per day, each containing 5,000 liters, ahead of Idul
\nFitri holidays.<\/p>\n
\"This number is not enough, but it is a first step in
\nanticipation of worse shortages,\" said Hiswana chairman Anas
\nPribadi of the Banyumas branch.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pertamina-yet-to-resolve-fuel-crisis-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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