- VIVAnews/Tri Saputro
VIVAnews – The government plans to restrict the usage of subsidized fuel in April.
However, according to Petroleum/Energy & Mining observer, Kurtubi, the plan should be annulled because it will not lessen people's dependence on petroleum fuel.
“It’s useless, because it’s like shifting from oil to oil,” he told VIVAnews in Jakarta, today, Jan 10.
Moreover, Kurtubi said that until now Indonesia still imports petroleum fuel and the price continues to rise.
He also said that such policy will not work because consumers would be forced to spend twice the normal price.
“They usually buy Premium fuel at Rp4,500 per liter, while later they would have to spend Rp8,350-8,750 per liter," said Kurtubi.
Kurtubi encouraged the government to prioritize the conversion program of petroleum fuel (BBM) to gas fuel (BBG).
“It is more important. The main focus is to build the infrastructure, to build gas refueling stations (SPBG),” he said.
If the government plans to limit the usage of BBM and reduce its budget, the proper solution would be to ask people to switch to BBG soon.
“It is way cheaper than oil,” Kurtubi said.
Other than building SPBG infrastructure, Kurtubi also recommended the government to build converter kit factory soon. Converter kit is a tool used in the car to convert fuel from petroleum to gas.
“Right now it is okay to import 1-2 thousand converter units. But the best solution is to build the factory here,” he said.
