Bahlil Discusses Industrial Gas Prices with PGN President Director

Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia summoned the President Director of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), Arief Setiawan Handoko, to discuss the increase in industrial gas prices. “Mr Arief, come with me after this. We will discuss gas for industry,” Bahlil said during the inauguration of the Mini LNG Plant of PT Sumber Aneka Gas in Tuban, East Java, on Thursday (25/6). He stated that the rise in industrial gas prices had drawn the attention of President Prabowo Subianto. Consequently, he invited PGN to discuss the Certain Natural Gas Price (HGBT) policy further. “The President called me on the road about this matter,” Bahlil said. Bahlil noted that industrial gas prices for the East Java region remain stable. However, industrial gas prices for West Java, Banten, Bekasi, and Jakarta have experienced increases. The cause of the price hike in these areas is the decline in gas lifting in the region, which affects pipeline gas distribution. “We are forced to use LNG. As a result, the price has indeed risen somewhat. This is what we need to find a middle ground on to push forward,” Bahlil said. Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated on Tuesday (23/6) that the parliament is ready to mitigate reports of potential layoffs (PHK) affecting more than 50,000 people at a ceramics factory in Bekasi, West Java, due to the rising industrial gas prices. This followed a report from the General Chair of the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers’ Unions (KSPSI), Andi Gani Nena Wea, who said that layoffs would occur at one of the largest ceramics factories in Bekasi within the next 7 to 10 days. Dasco said he would immediately communicate with the President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero) to discuss the rising industrial gas prices. “Yes, so after making contact, I have also arranged to meet with representatives from the affected trade union colleagues. Then, to meet with Pertamina’s President Director, perhaps tomorrow, to discuss solutions for the companies that could potentially impact 55,000 employees,” he said.