LPG Shortage in East Lombok Suspected Due to Hoarding

The East Lombok Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) has indicated that hoarding of 3 kg liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders is causing shortages. The DPRD is urging the East Lombok Regency Government (Pemkab) to form a task force to conduct monitoring.

Hasan stated that Pertamina and the government claim the stock of 3 kg LPG is safe. However, in reality on the ground, the public is still struggling to obtain the gas cylinders.

“This means that if the stock is safe, but below it is somewhat chaotic. If there are issues of shortages later, the public will also hoard,” said Rahman.

Based on this reasoning, Rahman continues to urge the East Lombok Pemkab to form a task force (satgas). According to Rahman, this task force will carry out field monitoring.

“After we received the hearing from the student brothers and sisters today, we suggest that the regency government form a task force, involving related regional apparatus work units (OPD), law enforcement (APH), and also Pertamina. We need this task force to take action on indications of hoarding,” Rahman said.

Rahman also requested Pertamina to provide data on the number of LPG depots and retailers. According to Rahman, this data will facilitate the task force in conducting monitoring and enforcement.

“We also request that this data be presented, including the number of depots and their locations, as well as the names of retailers, so that with all this data, we can conduct monitoring easily,” Rahman stated.

The Secretary of East Lombok Regency, Juaini Taofik, stated that Pertamina will add 24,440 cylinders of 3 kg LPG supply. He assured that this quota increase will be distributed today.

“Starting this afternoon, there will be a thickening of the quota, which is normally over 35,000. Alhamdulillah, this week there is an addition from Pertamina of 24,440 cylinders,” Juaini explained.

There are four sub-districts that will be prioritised for this distribution, namely Pringgasela, Lenek, Aikmel, and Wanasaba. These four sub-districts are prioritised because there were queues for purchases.

“That is what we prioritise, for example, yesterday there was information in North Aikmel Village that there were queues, we settle the priorities first because tomorrow there will be more additions. Well, tomorrow we might distribute evenly to depots in all sub-districts,” Juaini added.