Surakarta people show ID to get kerosene

Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Surakarta

The kerosene shortage in the Central Java town of Surakarta has forced residents to bring along not only money and a container but also their family cards to kerosene distributors.

The move was taken by some kerosene agents in the city to ensure that everyone got a fair share of kerosene.

"Since kerosene is hard to get, many people come to buy kerosene carrying more than one container," kerosene seller Nurrohman, who runs his business in Jagalan area, Jebres district, told The Jakarta Post. "At times, a family sends several family members to get a huge share of kerosene."

By showing the family card, he could ensure that each family got a container of kerosene. "I just want to put things in order so more families get kerosene," said Nurrohman.

He received 12,500 liters of kerosene every week, distributed in three stages, from state oil company Pertamina. The supply was enough for at least 2,500 families in his neighborhood.

He requested each of his customers to submit a copy of his or her family card, from which he then made a list of customers to prevent double buying. By the third day he had received at least 492 copies of family cards.

"We limit the amount of kerosene one family can buy to five liters a day at a cost of Rp 1,000 per liter," he said.

Several other kerosene agents, such as in Mojosongko and Gandekan subdistricts, also requested customers to submit a copy of their family cards.

Still, the inadequate kerosene supply forced people to line up for hours to get kerosene, which is distributed to agents in the two subdistricts on Mondays and Thursdays.

However, a small kerosene agent in Sekarpace, Jebres did not require customers to submit copies of family cards. "Here, it's first come first served," said owner Sutarmi.

The kerosene agent received a fresh supply of 1,400 liters of kerosene per day, which was sold at Rp 1,000 a liter. One customer could buy three liters of kerosene but regular retailers could get up to 10 liters.

Kerosene prices, however, varied. In Ringin Semar village in Jebres, it was sold for up to Rp 1,700 per liter.

"We usually buy kerosene for Rp 1,600 per liter but only get two liters every three days," said Didik, a housewife.

The kerosene scarcity has also opened up opportunities for new sellers coming from outside the city, such as from the nearby Wonogiri regency which is 60 kilometers from Surakarta.

"There are kerosene sellers from Batu, Wonogiri carrying large containers of kerosene with motorcycles and offering it at the price of Rp 1,800 per liter," Suwarto, a Jagalan resident, said on Thursday.

He said the Wonogiri traders came with kerosene to Surakarta because there was no shortage there.

"The sellers come in groups of three to five people, carrying up to 100 liters of kerosene with them," Suwarto said.