Lawmakers have asked the government to ensure undisrupted distribution of the subsidized cooking gas to eligible consumers after the energy ministry issued a new cap on sales to approved suppliers.
he House of Representatives Budget Committee (Banggar) has called on the government to ensure that eligible recipients have undisrupted access to subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) during the ongoing transition to a new distribution policy.
“Banggar asked the government and PT Pertamina to make sure that subsidized 3 kg LPG for poor households, the elderly and micro and small businesses remains accessible to them,” committed head Said Abdullah said in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by Antara.
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry set a sales limit on 3 kg canisters of the subsidized cooking gas to official distributors through a new regulation on Feb. 1, in a bid to tighten government oversight and targeted distribution.
According to Abdullah, however, clear public communication on the new rule was needed to avoid confusion and prevent panic buying.
He therefore suggested that the rule be implemented in phases, prioritizing regions that were better prepared for the transition.
Abdullah also urged the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), especially administrative heads and local police chiefs, to conduct a market operation in their regions, targeting distributors that were hoarding or illicitly mixing the subsidized gas.
“Because this action threatens [sufficient supply] of subsidized 3 kg LPG for the people,” he said.
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