Kalla promises to stop natural gas export

Presidential hopeful Jusuf Kalla promised on Wednesday to stop or reduce exports of natural gas and divert it to local fertilizer plants to boost production to meet growing domestic demand.

Speaking to supporters in Palembang, South Sumatra, Kalla also promised to revitalize village unit cooperatives (KUDs) established under Soeharto to speed up the distribution of subsidized fertilizers to farmers.

“I would stop exports of gas and instead supply it to fertilizer plants to increase productivity,” Kalla said Wednesday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Kalla said he shared concerns of farmers who recently suffered from slow and often short supplies of fertilizers.

“If elected, we are going to revitalize KUDs to help distribute fertilizers to farmers,” Kalla, who is also the incumbent Vice President, told a gathering at Sriwijaya Sports Stadium in Palembang.

Kalla also attended a campaign rally in Central Kalimantan on Wednesday.