印尼政府否认了有关从8月17日国家独立日开始限制购买补贴燃料的报道。能源和矿产资源部长阿里芬·塔斯里夫澄清说,在该日,对补贴燃料的销售将没有这种限制。
早些时候,协调海洋事务和投资部部长卢胡特潘贾丹宣布,政府将于8月17日开始收紧燃料补贴的使用,以减少分配给不合格的领取者的补贴。这一举措旨在挽救预计将出现赤字的2024年国家预算。
不过,阿里芬部长说,政府仍在处理有关总统条例的修订工作,并与国有企业部和财政部讨论细节。将通过一项部级条例进一步规范限制计划,该条例将具体规定有权获得补贴燃料的车辆类型。
"这应该是正确的目标,哪些车辆或类型将获得补贴。不,不限于8月17日。但情况并非如此。
自2022年以来,政府一直在考虑限制补贴燃料的购买,因为由于国际油价上涨和卢比疲软,补贴拨款已超过预算。然而,由于对该计划对购买力的影响感到担忧,该计划先前被推迟。
专家们认为,这一举措如果得到实施,可能会助长通货膨胀,降低人们的购买力,从而可能造成经济冲击。政府还致力于确保雅加达销售的燃料达到欧元4排放标准,即硫含量不超过百万分之50,低于目前的百万分之500。
Indonesia delays plan to restrict subsidised fuel sales
The Indonesian government has dismissed reports that it plans to restrict purchases of subsidised fuel starting August 17, the country’s Independence Day. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif clarified that there will be no such limitation on the sale of subsidised fuel on that date.
Earlier, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan had announced that the government was targeting to start tightening the use of fuel subsidies on August 17, in order to reduce the amount of subsidy distribution to ineligible recipients. This move was aimed at saving the 2024 state budget, which is projected to have a deficit.
However, Minister Arifin stated that the government is still processing the revision of the relevant presidential regulation and discussing the details with the Ministry of State-owned Enterprises and the Ministry of Finance. The restriction scheme will be further regulated through a ministerial regulation that will specify the vehicle types entitled to subsidised fuel.
“It should be right on target, which vehicles or types that will get the subsidy. No, nothing is limited to August 17. This is still not the case,” Arifin said.
The government has been considering restricting purchases of subsidised fuel since 2022, as the subsidy allocation has exceeded the budget due to rising international oil prices and a weakening rupiah. However, the plan was previously delayed amid concerns about its impact on purchasing power.
Experts believe that the move, if implemented, could contribute to inflation and reduce people’s purchasing power, potentially causing economic shock. The government is also aiming to ensure that fuel sold in Jakarta meets the Euro 4 emission standard of containing no more than 50 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur, down from around 500 ppm currently.