Locals rush to buy 'cheaper' kerosene

SEMARANG: State oil company Pertamina's marketing units in Central Java and Yogyakarta have conducted operations in seven areas in anticipation of a kerosene shortage.

"We started the operations last Saturday," said the company's spokesperson I Gusti Bagus Wisnu on Wednesday.

Around 80 kiloliters of kerosene was prepared for the market operations, with a liter of kerosene sold for Rp 900, cheaper than retail prices of between Rp 1,110 and Rp 1,200 per liter at kerosene agencys.

While residents were willing to queue for the cheaper kerosene, a tank of 5,000 liters of kerosene in Gayamsari area was finished within two hours.

Gayamsari subdistrict head Buntoro said news of the operation had been sudden. "But fortunately, many residents acted fast enough to get their hands on the cheaper kerosene." -- JP