Kerosene output increased

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): In response to the disappearance of kerosene from markets in Central Java and several areas in West Java, state oil and gas company Pertamina increased kerosene output at its refinery in Cilacap, Central Java since Monday.

Husni Banser, spokesman for the Cilacap refinery, confirmed the increase in production on Thursday.

"We usually produce 8,000 metric tons of kerosene per day, and now we produce 8,300 metric tons a day," he said in a telephone interview.

He said he had no idea why the kerosene had vanished from markets in Central Java.

"As far as we know production and supply are normal. The disappearance of kerosene has nothing to do with Pertamina. We've never cut production," he said

He added that the increase in production would continue until people could easily find kerosene in the markets.

Banyumas police chief Col. Carel Risakota said that police were still investigating reports that dirty business was behind the disappearance of kerosene. (45/sur)