REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The government should act strictly to check malpractices in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to prevent scarcity in various regions during Lebaran (post-fasting festivities), a lawmaker has said. Moreover, gas consumption would increase tremendously during and after Eid-al-Fitr.

The Member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR), Andi Yulianis Paris, in a release on Thursday said Pertamina should monitor LPG agents and act against those who filled subsidised gas into non-subsidised gas cylinders. Paris also asked the government to really pay attention to stocks of three kilogram LPG cylinders to avoid scarcity ahead of Eid or during other holidays.

"We are urging the government to pay close attention to this matter so as to avoid any shortage near the feast of Eid-al-Fitr," the politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN) said.

The Minister for State-owned Enterprises, Rini M. Soemarno, said the government continued to monitor and take steps to ensure availability of fuel and gas.

Also read: Pertamina sets up task force to monitor fuel use

Pertamina had anticipated a gas demand surge during Ramadan and Lebaran and increased supply by 17 per cent. On May 16, the Vice-President of Pertamina's Domestic Gas, Kusnendar, said demand for LPG would peak on H-7 (seven days before) Lebaran, when it would reach 27,000 tonnes from the normal 23,124 tonnes.

Kusnendar said Pertamina had already increased its gas stock and distribution by 4 per cent from the normal 23,124 tonnes to 24,113 tonnes. Last year, the average gas demand increased by 3 per cent during Ramadan and Lebaran, while Pertamina had, in anticipation, increased supply by 1 per cent.

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