Cooperatives Ministry Promotes Cooperative-Based Fuel Stations for Fishermen

The Ministry of Cooperatives is encouraging the development of cooperative-based Fishermen’s Fuel Filling Stations (SPBUN) in coastal areas across the country, including South Kalimantan Province. The SPBUNs are expected to guarantee supply and ensure subsidised fuel is distributed precisely to fishermen. This development uses a cooperative-based business partnership replication model in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and Pertamina Patra Niaga. The presence of SPBUNs is intended to develop cooperative enterprises in the distribution of subsidised fuel for fishermen with vessels of up to 30 gross tonnes. Head of the Institutional Division of the South Kalimantan Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Bambang Dedi Mulyadi, stated on Wednesday that his office had received an official letter from the Ministry of Cooperatives regarding the opportunity to establish these cooperative-based SPBUNs. “For South Kalimantan Province, the fishermen’s fuel stations will be built in seven areas, specifically coastal districts,” he said. According to Bambang, this represents a significant opportunity for district and city governments to develop cooperatives while improving fishermen’s welfare. “The South Kalimantan Cooperatives and SMEs Office will facilitate the proposal submission process and communication with the Ministry of Cooperatives. This programme is expected to strengthen the fisheries business ecosystem through cooperatives, as well as ease access to subsidised fuel for fishermen,” he added. The seven priority areas in South Kalimantan for the construction of the SPBUNs are Tanah Laut Regency, Banjar Regency, Kotabaru Regency, Barito Kuala Regency, Tanah Bumbu Regency, and Banjarmasin City. In other developments, long queues of people buying subsidised Pertalite and Bio Solar fuel at regular petrol stations are still occurring. Some stations have even stopped selling Pertalite and Bio Solar after receiving sanctions for proven malpractices in the distribution of subsidised fuel.