MP Demands SOE Efficiency to Accompany Energy Subsidy Cuts
A member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Christiany Eugenia Paruntu, has called on the Government and energy-distributing SOEs, particularly PT Pertamina (Persero), to ensure that the reduction in the 2027 State Budget (APBN) energy subsidy by Rp11.44 trillion does not disrupt distribution bases or affect price affordability for the poor.
According to Paruntu, the decision to cut fuel and 3kg LPG subsidies to Rp261.50 trillion must be accompanied by operational efficiency within SOEs and the accelerated integration of recipient data.
“The reduction of the energy subsidy budget to Rp261.50 trillion in the 2027 APBN demands that distributing SOEs become more efficient and accurate. We must ensure that the reduction of fuel quotas to 19.5 million kilolitres and 3kg LPG to 8 million metric tonnes does not trigger shortages at distribution points or burden the lowest decile of society who are rightfully entitled to subsidies,” Christiany stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Christiany assessed that the success of the subsidised energy distribution scheme depends heavily on the readiness of digital infrastructure and the reliability of a single unified data system.
Given that the adoption of the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) is still undergoing verification in response to public complaints and is not yet uniform across all ministries and agencies, she urged the Ministry of SOEs and Pertamina to strengthen periodic data update mechanisms and provide easily accessible appeal channels for citizens.
“This is not merely about cutting budget figures on paper, but about how SOEs ensure that every litre of diesel and every 3kg LPG cylinder truly reaches the correct ‘by name, by address’ recipients. The integration of digital systems at distribution bases and petrol stations must be tightened without complicating matters for the poor and MSMEs who may not be tech-savvy,” she added.
Christiany expressed hope that the Ministry of SOEs and the energy SOE holding companies would immediately align the roadmap for subsidised energy distribution with the readiness of the DTSEN.
She emphasised that Commission VI of the DPR RI will continue to perform its oversight function regarding trade practices, SOE supply readiness, and consumer protection to ensure that state budget efficiency proceeds alongside guarantees of energy sufficiency for the public.