Wasted gas in Bekasi

Wasted gas in Bekasi

From Tempo

It is impossible for state oil and gas company Pertamina not
to raise the price of liquefied petroleum gas, while LPG
consumers will have to buy it at a higher cost.

Oddly, in Bekasi regency, West Java, gas has been wasted or
burnt since 2003 at a daily value equivalent to the price of
three Toyota-Kijang cars.

A local private company once expressed interest in managing
the gas for the benefit of the state and local society. It was
committed to build an LPG plant worth over US$8 million. But the
plan failed to materialize due to a local official's
intervention.

An agreement already concluded with Bekasi's regional
government was suddenly unilaterally canceled. The official
concerned was reportedly displeased because the company's owner
was very close to a former regency official.

Despite the decision made by the State Administrative Court,
which ordered the implementation of the agreement, the present
official has remained unresponsive.

TAUFIK KARMADI
Jakarta