President Jokowi Asks to Recalculate Gas Price

President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have a conversation before a Limited Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday (24/1). (Photo: PR/Jay)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo reaffirmed his statement on the Limited Meeting on 4 October 2016, that natural gas should not only be seen as a commodity, but as a capital for development that can support national industry and stimulate competitiveness of Indonesia’s industrial products in the global market.

Therefore, the President asked to carefully calculate the gas price. The calculation is expected to create added value for the development of upstream industry as well as to increase the competitiveness of our products.“I also ask reports from Minister of Industry and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources concerning Presidential Regulation Number 40 of 2016 on Natural Gas Price. I would like to know whether there are problems on the ground, particularly related with seven (7) industrial sectors that are determined as the industries that can enjoy the decrease of gas price,” the President said in a Limited Meeting on Gas Price for Industry, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, on Tuesday (24/1) afternoon.

The President, who was accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, admitted that he has received information about the decrease of gas price for 3 (three) industrial sectors, such as fertilizer, steel, and petrochemical. Meanwhile, for other sectors, such as, oleochemical, glass, ceramic, and rubber gloves have not been accommodated yet.

The Limited Meeting was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of State Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Transportation Budi K. Sumadi, Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, Managing Director of Pertamina Dwi Sutjipto, and Managing Director of PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) Hendi Prio Santoso. (DNA/SM/JAY/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)