Caring for the People, Government Cancels Regulation on Ban on Retailers of 3 Kg LPG
JAKARTA — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto instructed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to cancel the regulation prohibiting retailers from selling 3 kg LPG.
This decision was taken after the government responded to complaints from the public who were having difficulty obtaining the subsidized gas.
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad revealed that the instruction was issued directly by President Prabowo to ensure that the public can still buy 3 kg LPG through retailers.
“The President then instructed ESDM to reactivate existing retailers to sell as usual as of today,” said Dasco
Dasco also explained that the ban on retailers selling 3 kg LPG was not President Prabowo’s policy.
However, after seeing the conditions in the field, the President decided to intervene and restore the role of retailers as part of official distribution.
“Earlier the President intervened to instruct retailers to be able to sell again while the retailers were then made sub-administrative bases,” he explained.
ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that the President’s direction included three main things.
“First, ensure that the distribution of subsidized 3 kg LPG gas is right on target. Second, ensure that distribution management runs well. Third, the people must immediately get what they need, especially LPG,” said Bahlil after a meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta.
Political observer and Executive Director of the Indonesian Political Review (IPR) Iwan Setiawan assessed that Prabowo’s steps were correct.
“The policy actually caused chaos and protests everywhere because it made things more difficult. This means that the President always pays direct attention to the complaints and aspirations of the people,” said Iwan.
With this decision, the government ensures that the distribution of 3 kg LPG continues to run smoothly and prices remain stable in the community. (*)