Indonesian truckers call for a total reform in distribution of subsided bio-solar fuel distribution as it has always become an acute problem for trucking business within the country for years. Every year, lack of supply approaching the end of the year and not to mention the problems of the system (MyPertamina application), remained a usual problem for truckers to get subsidized fuel.
“Unless a serious step from regulator (BPH Migas) and supplier and distributor (State Owned Oil Company PT Pertamina) to overcome the issue, we will never exist from this problem,” Chairman of Indonesia Trucking Companies’ Association Aptrindo Gemilang Tarigan has said.
Aptrindo is the biggest trucking companies’ association with thousand members throughout the country.
“We have several times reminded the regulator and distributor to overcome the issue. Last month (December 2023), Aptrindo sent an official letter to BPH Migas. Unfortunately, until now, there is no response yet,” Gemilang explained to Indonesia Shipping Gazette, on Friday, January 26, 2023.
BPH Migas is Indonesia’s downstream oil and gas regulatory agency that regulates and monitor the distribution of oil and gas within the country.
“We still insist on improving the system (distributing subsidized fuel for logistics trucks) which has been using the MyPertamina application,” said Gemilang
He revealed that on December 22, 2023, Aptrindo had sent an official letter to the Head of BPH Migas Erika Retnowati, regarding complaints from trucking companies due to the scarcity of Bio Diesel fuel in a number of areas.
In fact, he added, at that time, almost all fuel and gas stations (SPBU) in Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan faced a shortage of bio solar fuel and there were restrictions on purchasing bio solar fuel per day, even though the quota regulated in the MyPertamina application had not exceeded the daily purchase limit.
“However, unfortunately until now, there is no response yet from BPH Migas. In fact, we are conveying the real facts we found to discuss solutions, thus finding a better distribution system in the future,” he said.
The copies of the letter, explained Gemilang, were also addressed to the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, President Director of PT. Pertamina (Persero), and all Chairmen of Aptrindo Chapters throughout Indonesia.
According to Gemilang, as a control tool in purchasing subsidized fuel, the MyPertamina application still has several problems. “Some indicators have said that this application is allegedly being used by unscrupulous SPBU (fuel station) officers to seek personal gain by falsifying the purchase of bio solar fuel.”
“That’s why we (Aptrindo) again call for a better governance, a total reform for this system. This application (MyPertamina) should be improved and monitored more seriously so that the distribution of subsidized fuel will be on appropriate target, for trucking doing distribution and logistics activities only. No more shortage of fuel for trucking as it will totally affect the economy,” Gemilang concluded.