DEN: Pertamina Ensures Fuel Availability, Public Urged to Remain Calm

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A member of the National Energy Council (DEN), M. Kholid Syeirazi, stated that the government and Pertamina are making every effort to maintain the availability of fuel oil (BBM) in the country, urging the public to remain calm, avoid panic, and continue their activities as usual.

“The public must stay calm. Why panic? The current situation is being experienced worldwide. In fact, our conditions are far better compared to other countries,” Kholid said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Compared to other countries, including those in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s energy situation is better, for example, fuel prices in Vietnam have risen significantly from Rp12,700 per litre to Rp19,100 per litre, in Thailand from Rp16,500 per litre to Rp24,000 per litre, and in Laos from Rp22,700 per litre to Rp30,200 per litre.

In addition, he added, BBM stocks are above 20 days, a figure higher than the minimum operational reserve set by BPH Migas.

According to him, a calm public attitude will greatly assist the government and Pertamina, who are currently making the best efforts to maintain supply availability. The public, he explained, must also be wise in consuming energy, including BBM.

“Pertamina is certainly making the best efforts to maintain availability. These efforts are continuously being carried out, even though it is not easy to obtain supplies at the moment. However, the government and Pertamina cannot do it alone. They must be supported by the public,” he said in his statement.

He emphasised that the public must understand that the current global BBM situation is indeed not good, due to the war between Iran and the US and Israel.

“If in a situation like this we act as if nothing is happening, it would actually be dangerous. We wouldn’t have a sense of crisis,” he said.

Similarly, regarding BBM price adjustments, according to him, in the current global energy crisis, it is an effort to reduce the fiscal burden of bearing subsidy and compensation costs.

Kholid gave an example that every $1 increase in oil prices per barrel would add a potential increase in subsidy and compensation burden of Rp10.3 trillion.

Thus, with oil prices now above $100 per barrel, it certainly impacts the high fiscal capacity burden.

“So what’s the solution? Part of it must be shifted to the public in the form of BBM price increases,” he said.

In line with that, Member of Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sartono Hutomo, appreciated Pertamina’s steps in maintaining BBM stock availability amid global energy crisis pressures.

“However, what is more important is ensuring that information on stock availability guarantees is communicated in a measured and easily understandable manner to the public so that the public feels safe and is not easily provoked,” he said.

In addition, he urged the public not to be easily provoked by unverified information on BBM price increases.

“The public does not need to hoard BBM because it will only worsen the distribution situation and harm the wider public. Ensure that the information received comes from official government or Pertamina sources,” he said.