PLN Workers Protest Gas Exports

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - One hundred and fifty people, who are members of PLN's Workers Union, staged a protest in front of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) building in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 10. They workers asked the government to stop the export of natural gas and demanded primary energy supply for electricity at a low price.

The Union's spokesman Jumadis Abda said the government must encourage energy sovereignty by stopping the export of natural gas. Therefore, the people can fully enjoy the benefits of domestic natural gas.  

PLN's Workers Union noted that the state is losing up to Rp250 billion per year from the export of natural gas. Meanwhile, the people are burdened by the electrical primary energy expenditure that reaches Rp137 trillion per year. Jumadis said the government should terminate contracts with foreign companies to export natural gas.

To that end, the union is rejecting several natural gas exports contracts with foreign companies, including the Chevron Block Indonesia Deepwater Development (IDD) in the Makassar Strait, East Kalimantan; Pertamina's consortium project with Exxon Mobil in East Natuna Block (Natuna D Alpha); and the Inpex project in Masela, Maluku.

According to Jumadis, if natural gas sources are maximized for domestic consumption, the Indonesian people can enjoy energy at a low price. "Electricity rates would be cheaper and the fuel subsidy burden can be reduced," he said.

PAMELA SARNIA