Commission XII Head Calls for Evaluation of Cheap Gas Recipient Industries
Jakarta — The chairman of Commission XII of the People’s Consultative Assembly from the Golkar Party faction, Bambang Patijaya, has stressed that the policy on Special Natural Gas Prices (HGBT) requires evaluation to ensure it genuinely benefits the domestic economy.
According to him, the gas supply for the HGBT scheme is limited, so its allocation must be well-targeted. Gas at special prices should be prioritised for sectors with the greatest need and most significant impact on the national economy.
Commission XII is urging the Directorate General of Oil and Gas of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all HGBT recipients. The assessment needs to examine the level of gas utilisation, its contribution to the domestic industry, and its economic impact, including the multiplier effects generated.
Based on findings by Commission XII, there are HGBT-recipient companies whose production is largely exported. In several cases, approximately 90 per cent of such companies’ production is destined for the export market, meaning direct benefits to strengthening domestic industry and economy remain limited.
“If companies receiving HGBT have the majority of their production destined for export and do not provide significant strengthening to the domestic industry, then the allocation needs to be recalculated. Gas at special prices should be directed towards strengthening the national economy,” he stated.
Bambang also emphasised that HGBT recipients include not only the industrial sector but also the power generation sector. For example, gas needs for power generation in special economic zones or strategic industrial areas supporting investment and manufacturing activities, such as in Batam.
“Given limited gas supply, strategic sectors such as special economic zones and industrial areas that serve as investment centres should be prioritised, as energy adequacy in these regions directly impacts economic activity and electricity supply stability,” he said.
Therefore, Commission XII is urging a recalculation of HGBT quotas on a data and performance basis, so that gas allocation is better targeted, fair, and genuinely supports the interests of the domestic economy.