Minister Asks Pertamina to Prioritize Premium
21 April 2015 12:20 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Rini Soemarno has called on state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina to hold its horses with regard to the planned launch of its new octane 92 gasoline it dubbed Pertalite.
“Pertamina had better prioritize Premium gasoline, which is the most affordable type,” she said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Jakarta on Monday, April 20, 2015.
Premium gasoline has thus far been the preferred fuel of the public—with consumption reaching 77,000 kiloliters per day.
Rini said among the considerations that Pertamina should mull was the affordable price of Premium at Rp7,300 per liter, compared to Pertalite’s, which reportedly would be pegged at around Rp8,000-8,300 per liter.
Rini, however, admitted that the existence of Pertalite would be necessary, albeit underscoring not for now. “Pertalite is not a replacement for Premium,” she said.
Rini said Pertamina should only step up Pertalite production after it could adjust its price to the same as Premium’s. She added only then she would allow Pertamina cease its RON 88 (Premium gasoline) production. “They can even remove it,” she said.
URSULA FLORENE SONIA