East Java Residents Queue for Hours to Buy 3 Kg LPG, Bahlil: It's Clear, We're Conducting Market Operations

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has assured that the issue of the 3 kg LPG shortage in several districts in East Java (Jatim) has been settled. Bahlil stated that his side has conducted market operations to resolve the problem of the subsidised liquefied petroleum gas shortage. “But it’s clear now. We’re carrying out market operations,” he added. Even so, the shortage of the subsidised gas had caused some residents to return home empty-handed after stocks at distribution points ran out. In addition to being difficult to obtain, the price of 3 kg LPG at the retailer level was also reported to have risen to Rp30,000 per cylinder. He admitted that he had to queue for more than one hour to get one cylinder of gas. “It was almost more than one hour queuing earlier to be able to get a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder, and this situation has been happening for three weeks,” said Watini on Monday. Watini mentioned that purchases at the depot are limited to one cylinder per person and residents are required to show their identity card (KTP), but the price is relatively cheaper, namely Rp18,000 per cylinder.