Fuel distribution

Fuel distribution

From Media Indonesia

Last April I wrote to Media Indonesia, giving a suggestion about how to secure fuel distribution, and received much criticism via e-mail afterward. The writers threatened me and accused me of causing them to lose a means of earning income. Also, they said that I was a stupid person, pretending to understand things about fuel. But, for the sake of justice and the national interest, I encouraged myself to continue giving some input to the government.

At that time I wrote: "Since April 1, 2001, the government has increased fuel prices by between 50 percent and 100 percent for the industrial and international shipping sectors through its Presidential Decree No 45/2001.

"These differences in price between fuel for the public and for industry will create an opportunity for certain people or groups to operate unfairly, taking a profit from the situation.

"To ensure the achievement of fair and adequate distribution for both industrial and individual users, it is necessary to consider an easy and transparent new supervision method and I, therefore, propose the following:

"The color of fuel for the industrial sector should be differentiated from that for public consumption by adding chemicals or coloring. For example, the color of premium for public consumption could be yellow while the fuel for industrial purposes could be blue.

"The vehicles carrying fuel intended for industry should be painted with a special color. A blue line, for example, could be painted along the body of the vehicle. Besides that, a special sticker could be put on it and, if necessary, it could have a special code on the license plate.

"The establishment of a special monitoring team and the provision of post office boxes and telephone lines for public complaints would be useful for those wishing to report irregularities in fuel distribution."

PAULUS SD

Jakarta