Fuel Price in Timika Reaches Rp. 20,000
3 November 2014 19:38 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The price of Premium - a type of subsidised fuel marketed by the state-owned oil and gas company, Pertamina - in Timika, Papua has breached Rp 20,000 for one bottle of 1.5 liters sold on the side of the road, in the past few days.
Junaidi, a roadside Premium retailer in the city, said on Monday, November 3, 2014, that the price increases can be observed in the past three days. Previously, Premium was sold around Rp 10,000 to 12,000 per bottle.
Meanwhile, long queues of motorcycles and cars could be observed at three gas stations across the city, namely at the Mimika Timur gas station in Nawaripi, the Timika Jaya gas station at SP2, and at Buana gas station on Jl. Hasanuddin.
Although Premium and Solar (Pertamina's subsidized diesel fuel) supplies into Timika are normal, reserves are flying off the shelves much faster than usual.
Sayfuddin, a manager for the Mimika Timur and Timika Jaya gas station, said that supplies from Paumako Harbour are normal, and each station receives 24 kiloliters of Premium and between five to 10 kiloliters of Solar everyday.
However, higher-than-usual demands for Premium have caused both stations to run out of Premium to sell at around midday, Eastern Indonesia Time. Usually, both stations are open until 20.00, and by closing time both usually have some Premium leftovers that could be sold on the following day.
"Premium supplies into Timika have not been interrupted, and we are selling in accordance to the regulations. We believe that the shortage is caused by people stockpiling Premium, en masse," said Sayfuddin.
ANTARANEWS