Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – PT Pertamina (Persero) has raised the price of fuel oil (BBM) type RON 92 or Pertamax to Rp 12,500 – Rp 13,000 per liter from the previous Rp 9,000 – Rp 9,400 per liter. As a result of the increase, it was reported that the demand for fuel under it, namely Pertalite, soared and resulted in vacancies in stock at a number of gas stations.
But the issue of the scarcity of Pertalite was denied by the management of PT Pertamina (Persero) as the business entity that sells Pertalite type gasoline.
President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Alfian Nasution said that his party guarantees the stock of Pertalite. In fact, his party has poured out 15% of the stock above the average consumption of Pertalite.
“So there is no (scarcity), we guarantee that the stock is in a good position at Pertamina. We pour 15% above the average consumption of pertalite at the gas station, so that the stock is guaranteed,” said Alfian to CNBC Indonesia in Energy Corner, Monday (4/4) 4/2022).
Alfian also ensured that the stock of Pertalite fuel in the regions is also guaranteed, his party together with the parent company Pertamina have carried out several inspections throughout the region. The inspection was carried out considering whether there was a major shift from Pertamax, whose price increased to Pertalite gasoline.
“We see that in big cities, conditions are safe, queues are relatively more normal. We can meet people’s expectations of Pertalite’s needs,” said Alfian.
Meanwhile, Alfian believes that the surge in demand for Pertalite which reaches 10% – 15% is only temporary. The reason is that his party has a special program to provide promos and public education on the use of high-quality fuel, so the shift to Pertalite will not take too long.
“There is an increase of about 10-15% shifting the increase to Pertalite. This is our challenge to encourage the consumption of Pertamax again. So we hope that consumption is conscious of quality,” said Alfian.
Previously, the Acting Corporate Secretary of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Irto Ginting, stated that the Pertalite stock at the gas station was safe. Pertamina has also resupplied tank cars containing Pertalite to a number of gas stations.
“Hopefully, it will break down soon. I don’t understand either, why in BSD-Bintaro the consumption is suddenly high, but we don’t have any restrictions. That means, whatever we ask for, we will pour this,” Irto told CNBC Indonesia, Friday (1 /4/2022).
“It’s only 1-2 gas stations, and at 10 o’clock it was checked that it was filled. So there is nothing rare (Pertalite), we continue to supply it according to need,” added Irto.
According to him, the increase in the price of Pertamax has indeed made some users switch to using Pertalite. However, he said that the use of Pertamax was not only because of the price but also the need for the machines used.
“The potential for displacement may exist, but Pertamax consumers are not only due to the price, but these consumers are generally those who know the engine needs of their vehicles,” said Irto.
The member of the Committee for the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), Saleh Abdurrahman, said the same thing. Pertalite stock will not be scarce even until it runs out due to the increase in Pertamax prices.
“It shouldn’t be. It’s not like diesel which can enter the industry, so there’s a lot of abuse,” said Saleh.
Pertamina data as of 27 March 2022, the national stock of Pertalite is 1.16 million kilo liters (kl) or can last up to the next 15.7 days. The stock is stock accumulation at the BBM Terminal, refinery and ship intransit.
(pgr/pgr)
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