TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Pertamina Patra Niaga's media and stakeholder management manager, Heppy Wulansari, said that oil and gas stocks were safe and would remain safe for a period of 20 days. Her statement came after Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif announced that there would be a restriction on fuel subsidies for Perlite gasoline and the 3-kilogram LPG canister due to the Middle East conflict.

"As for stocks or supplies, they have been secured from refinery production and cargoes from the Asian region. Pertamina Patra Niaga manages fuel oil stocks at an optimal level to anticipate potential supply disruptions. Currently, there is relatively little dependence on fuel from the Middle East," Heppy told Tempo on Tuesday, April 23.

Asked about the restrictions on subsidized fuel in the midst of a global conflict, Heppy said she expected the government to resume the distribution of Perlite and 3 kg LPG tanks to people who are entitled to them.

"From a financial point of view, the impact could be that the government considers the products to be subsidized," he said.

Heppy said Pertamina Patra Niaga is a business unit tasked with distributing Pertalite gasoline and 3 kg LPG tanks in accordance with the quota limit set by the government.

Pertamina's VP for corporate communications, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, echoed Heppy's sentiments, saying that Pertalite and 3 kg LPG are subsidized goods for their rightful recipients as determined by the government.

When asked how the restriction system will be implemented in June 2024, Fadjar said that the focus will be on monitoring or collecting data on buyers. "It will not be a reduction in stocks, but purchases will be made through a data collection system, which we have done using QR codes for fuel and ID cards for 3 kg of LPG. This is to secure the quota," he explained.

DESTY LUTHFIANI

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News