TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) chairman Tulus Abadi stated that the scarcity of 3-kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in several regions is caused by huge price gap between 3-kg and 12-kg LPG.
"Due to the price gap, a lot of consumers of 12-kg LPG switch to 3-kg LPG. In addition to a much lower price, it is practical and mobile," Tulus said in Jakarta on Saturday (9/12).
Moreover, deviation of 3-kg LPG distribution is evident. As a subsidized commodity, the distribution should be closed in nature.
It means only certain consumers are eligible to purchase it. However, what happens now is the distribution is open or free, so anyone can access it.
"There is an inconsistency of distributional pattern carried out by the government," he said.
Tulus continued that the shortage of 3-kg LPG in some areas really harms the residents as consumers. They have to stand in a very long queue to get LPG, and some cannot even get it.
Tulus claimed that Pertamina statement that the shortage is triggered by soaring demands for Christmas and New Year is unreasonable.
ANTARA