Special message to Sony Keraf<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
State Minister of the Environment Sony Keraf has stipulated a
\npolicy for implementation soon which will effectively abolish use
\nof leaded gasoline in major cities. Unfortunately, it seems the
\nimplementation will be difficult because users of leaded gasoline
\nare unfamiliar with the policy.<\/p>\n
The Alliance of Environmentally Concerned Community (Ampel)
\nhas since 1997 endeavored to popularize unleaded gasoline but has
\nfaced obstacles in its efforts. The objection most frequently
\nvoiced by the community is that unleaded gasoline is more
\nexpensive than leaded gasoline.<\/p>\n
In the present economic condition characterized by
\ninstability, a proposed leaded gasoline price hike of 20 percent
\nhas been strongly opposed. More opposition will be shown if the
\ncommunity will have to quickly switch to using unleaded gasoline,
\nwhich is about 60 percent more expensive than leaded gasoline.<\/p>\n
We wish to propose the following to the environment minister
\nas our solution to the abolition of leaded gasoline.<\/p>\n
(1) Leaded gasoline can be quickly abolished if the price of
\nthe fuel set to replace it is much lower. In this respect, one
\nmust be daring enough in making a decision and have at one's
\ndisposal a careful economic analysis on the subject.<\/p>\n
(2) Leaded gasoline may be replaced by gas, which is much
\nlower in price than leaded gasoline.<\/p>\n
(3) When leaded gasoline is no longer used as fuel, the
\ngovernment's subsidy for it may be allocated to subsidize the use
\nof gas fuel equipment in vehicles.<\/p>\n
(4) As the use of gas as fuel will increase, state oil company
\nPertamina will no longer need to spend fund on promoting the use
\nof gas as fuel among the community. These funds may then be
\nallocated to subsidize the use of gas fuel equipment in vehicles.<\/p>\n
(5) If this equipment is still imported, the government may
\ndecide to exempt the import of this equipment from import duties.<\/p>\n
(6) Economic experts may be asked to calculate whether the
\nsubsidies for premium gasoline, the promotional costs of gas, the
\nimport duty exemption and the increased price of gas can equal
\nthe funds needed for the purchase of gas fuel equipment in
\nvehicles. If the answer is positive, this equipment may be
\ndistributed free to the community. Otherwise, it can be purchased
\nby installment through the purchase of gas at a particular fee.<\/p>\n
(7) As the community enjoys the government's subsidy in the
\nform of free fuel gas equipment, it certainly will no longer
\nobject to buying gas at a price approaching or equal to that of
\nleaded gasoline (at present the price of gas fuel is Rp 450 per
\nliter).<\/p>\n
H. MAHATMA GANDHI<\/p>\n
Executive Director of<\/p>\n
Alliance of Environmentally Concerned Community<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/special-message-to-sony-keraf-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }