Kerosene scarce in Tangerang, Depok

Kerosene scarce in Tangerang, Depok

JAKARTA: People in Tangerang and Depok are desperate for
kerosene due to a lack of supply. The price of a liter of
kerosene has risen from Rp 1,200 (20 U.S. cents) per liter to
between Rp 1,700 and Rp 2,000 per liter.

Tangerang National Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs Association
(Hiswana Migas) urged state-owned oil company PT Pertamina on
Friday to carry out a market operation to meet residents'
demands.

"We call on Pertamina to prioritize kerosene distribution
directly to agents in Tangerang," said the association's oil
division head, Tommy Darmadji.

Separately, a busy oil agent in Depok, Yahman Setiawan, said
that the kerosene undersupply was due to increased demand from
consumers after the Idul Fitri holiday.

"At present there is a 25 percent increase in demand. Several
kerosene vendors are still in their hometowns. It's really not a
problem," he said, as quoted by Warta Kota.

Yahman added that for the past two weeks, all large agents had
been carrying out market operations in several subdistricts every
Sunday in cooperation with the Depok Industry and Trade Agency.

In the operations, 160,000 additional liters of kerosene were
supplied, he said. -- JP