By: Deka Prawira)*
The distribution of BLT BBM by the Government is considered appropriate. The distribution of BLT is part of the fuel subsidy transfer policy which aims to make the affected groups feel justice and welfare from the fuel subsidy which has been consumed by the wealthy.
So far, it is projected that the adjustment of subsidized fuel prices by the government will be able to reduce the burden on the state budget. The reason is that not a few state budgets are burned just because of consumptive interests, which in fact, on the ground, are not on target at all.
Therefore, the Young Papuan Leader, Steve Mara, explained that the fuel price adjustment set by the government was indeed correct.
Because with the relaxation of the state budget, the APBN can be diverted to development in other sectors, and then the rest can be prioritized to provide Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) for people who really need it.
The man who also serves as the Chair of the Papua Province LIRA DPW emphasized that the policy set by the government is very much in accordance with the fulfillment of the 5th precepts in Pancasila, namely social justice for all Indonesian people.
In this case, many Indonesian people use motorbikes and cars. Meanwhile, there are more motorcycle users in Indonesia than cars, but more fuel is used for cars. This means that people with above average abilities who use cars enjoy more subsidies that are intended for the poor
Furthermore, Steve also explained that the injustice here is not only enjoyed by the wealthy, but also the big companies enjoy the fuel subsidy.
In this case, large-scale companies need thousands of liters of fuel every day compared to small businesses. This means that large companies can be said to be enjoying subsidized fuel which is intended for the poor.
For this reason, actually for Steve there is no longer any reason for the public to reject the fuel price adjustment policy.
Therefore, the government’s decision to adjust the subsidy for fuel and replace it by providing direct cash assistance to the poor so that its use can be right on target. With this adjustment, subsidy funds can also be diverted for positive things.
Regarding this matter, Energy Watch Executive Director, Mamit Setiawan explained that the reallocation of the state budget by the government was very good because it was diverted to several activities that were much more productive in nature.
In order to make savings, fuel subsidies can be diverted to more efficient activities such as school scholarships, assistance to fishermen and farmers, construction of hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure.
On the other hand, according to the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Marsudi Syuhud, with the transfer of policies for the development of the productive sector, there lies the aspect of the people’s benefit that is upheld by the government. The benefit aspect is something that cannot be contested in state governance.
The strategy for distributing social support is also considered as a form of the Government’s efforts so that the fuel price adjustment does not have a broad impact on other sectors.
The government has prepared a social cushion fund as a safety net for the impact of fuel price adjustments. In this case, social assistance funds (bansos) amount to 24.17 trillion which is divided into 3 types of assistance. The first is BLT which is given to 20.4 million people. The second is a wage subsidy of 600,000 to 16 million workers with a maximum salary of 3.5 million rupiah per month.
While the third is assistance from the local government of 2.17 trillion, which is given to workers in the transportation sector such as drivers, fishermen, and so on. These various aids were given to people who were entitled to it and they were happy because they received compensation from the fuel price adjustment.
The provision of social assistance shows the government’s attention to the lower class people. They will have no more trouble after the fuel price is adjusted because the subsidy is reduced. However, they will be able to continue their activities as usual because they are given compensation funds to the Government. Previously, the community had also received a lot of economic recovery assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic from the Government, so it was hoped that it would be able to maintain people’s purchasing power.
Compensation for fuel price adjustments is believed to be better, because subsidies will be given to those who are entitled to it. The fuel subsidy that was transferred to Social Assistance will be given directly to the poor, so that it is more targeted than the provision of a fuel subsidy. Meanwhile, if there is no transfer of subsidies, it is even dangerous, because subsidized fuel can be purchased by people who can afford it, so it does not fulfill the aspect of justice.
The provision of social assistance as compensation for fuel price adjustments is believed to be the right step to realize community justice. With this assistance, the wheels of the people’s economy can continue to spin and state finances can be saved.