Mei Leandha, Jakarta – Earlier this week, the residents of Medan lamented the scarcity of 3kg Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Gas Cylinders since almost all retailers declared them out of stock. Available stock is priced at an all-high Rp30,000 despite the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) being Rp18,000.
In response to the problem, Pertamina Patra Niaga of the north of Sumatra Region ensures that the distribution and stock of the subsidized LPG are secure and the residents are urged to stay calm and refrain from panic-buying.
The Area Manager Comm, Rel and CSR of Pertamina Patra Niaga of the north of Sumatra Region August Satria said that Pertamina will dispense 207,000 cylinders or 50% of the normal quota for 16 regencies and cities. The distribution will start with Deliserdang Regency with 7,500 cylinders.
"The biggest one is Medan with 45,000 cylinders. We are also ready to conduct a market operation in accordance with what people need since our stock is secure," said Satria on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. He also explained that the consumption of LPG cylinders soared since there were a series of national holidays.
The distribution trend of 3k LPG Gas Cylinders increased until June 2023 with 180,907 metric tonnes compared to January-June 2022 with 175,498 metric tonnes. Meaning, the distribution trend has surpassed 3.4% from the stipulated quota.
To overcome the situation, the government applied an on-target subsidy in accordance with Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources No.37.K/MG.01/MEM.M/2023 concerning Technical Guideline for On-Target Distribution of Certain Liquefied Petroleum Gas Refill.
"Since the middle of July until the end of this month, we have conducted registration and verification to implement the on-target distribution for 3kg LPG Gas Cylinders," Satria said.
In North Sumatra, 70% of the 13,000 jetty has been registered. The process included the most recent location and facilities of the jetty. Satria admitted that the subsidy of 3kg LPG Gas Cylinders was often misdirected. Thus, a digitalized system is applied and integrated into the recipient's data.
"The purpose is to ensure the distribution of the subsidized gas cylinders is on-target for underprivileged residents," he added.
Currently, many upper-middle-sized business sectors, farms, and services used 3kg LPG Gas Cylinders despite the prohibition based on the Circular Letter of Oil and Gas Director General No. B-2461/MG.05/DJM/2022.
This week Pertamina will meet with the regional government to coordinate the on-target purchase of 3kg LPG Gas Cylinders. Both parties will collaborate on supervision and inspection. "We urge for people and upper-middle-sized business units to use non-subsidized gas, so the people who are in need could truly get the subsidized gas cylinders," said Satria.