Jakarta – The government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) is again opening opportunities for people in the 3T (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost) areas to get access to fuel at an equal price throughout Indonesia through the One Price BBM Program. To achieve equity, people in areas this program has yet to reach are asked to submit proposals through their respective local governments actively.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot emphasised the importance of local governments and communities in determining priority areas that need fuel distributors. According to him, this program requires their involvement.
“We encourage local governments to submit proposals for areas that need it immediately. This is an opportunity for people in the 3T areas to access fuel at affordable prices. The central government will evaluate the proposals based on priority and budget,” Yuliot explained while attending the inauguration of 14 One Price Fuel distributors in Maluku and Papua on Wednesday, October 30.
According to Yuliot, his party will provide full support to ensure that the community’s needs are met evenly. “Through the distribution of One Price Fuel, we are committed to realising the fifth principle of Pancasila, which is social justice for all Indonesian people. We hope that every region that needs it will immediately submit a request so that we can immediately consider it in the following year’s budget priorities,” he added.
The One Price Fuel Program was started by the government in 2017 as a National Priority Program. The program has reached 87 distributors in Sumatra, 3 in Java and Madura, 2 in Bali, 115 in Kalimantan, 58 in Sulawesi, 98 in Nusa Tenggara, and 189 in Maluku and Papua. The program is planned to continue until the end of 2024.
The Director General of Oil and Gas applies a number of rules to ensure the location of One Price BBM distributors is as needed. This determination is regulated in the Decree of the Director General of Oil and Gas Number 127.K/10/DJM/2020. The distribution area is determined by considering the availability of fuel infrastructure, geographical conditions, and population distribution. The evaluation process is based on proposals from BPH Migas, local governments, or related business entities.
After the evaluation, the prioritized locations will be stipulated in the Director General of Oil and Gas Decree for a certain period. This policy is expected to reach more difficult areas to access so that people in 3T areas can enjoy the same fuel prices as in urban areas. (Hartatik)
