TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta:State oil and gas firm Pertamina Region IV Central Java and Yogyakarta are taking steps to anticipate a surge in demand of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) during Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr. “We’re adding the supply of LPG to 10 percent above normal requirements,” said Heppy Wulansari, Assistant Manager of External Relations of PT Pertamina Central Java, Yogyakarta, on Sunday July 22, 2012. According to her, the supply of subsidized LPG throughout the month of fasting up to Eid Al-Fitr is 50,753 metric tons, ten percent up from a normal requirement of only 46,139 metric tons. In addition to subsidized LPG (3 kilograms), the supply of nonsubsidized LPG also increases to 9,693 metric tons of LPG, ten percent up from a normal requirement of only 8,812 metric tons. "We’re deliberately allocating availability and supplies of up to 10 percent for to 3-kilogram LPGs, although during the last fasting season and Eid Al-Fitr it rose by only 7 percent," she said. Heppy says a Lebaran task force has been formed to monitor LPG availability on the market. Pertamina has instructed agents, bulk filling stations (SPBE), and terminals to remain open during the holiday as well as to extend service, especially at the beginning of the fasting season, the day of Eid Al-Fitr, and the day of Eid Al-Fitr ketupat. Chair of the National Private Association of Oil and Gas for the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Siswanto, guarantees that there is ample supply for the community without any price increase during the fasting and holiday seasons. "There’s no need for people to worry because LPG supply is more than adequate," he said. MUH SYAIFULLAH