Update: Retailers Allowed to Resume Selling 3 Kg LPG Gas Following President Prabowo's Instructions

Kapanlagi.com - The controversy regarding the ban on retailers selling 3 kg LPG gas has finally reached a promising resolution. After being banned for a time, retailers are now allowed to sell again, thanks to direct instructions from President Prabowo Subianto. This decision was made after the public experienced difficulties in obtaining 3 kg LPG gas at retail levels.

The Daily Chairman of the Gerindra Party DPP, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, emphasized that the ban was not a policy of President Prabowo, but rather originated from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia. Observing the unrest in the community, President Prabowo ultimately took decisive action by requesting that the policy be reviewed immediately.

“The President has instructed the ESDM to reactivate the existing retailers to sell as usual starting today,” said Dasco at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Tuesday (4/2/2025).

1. Chronology of the Ban on Retailers Selling 3 Kg LPG Gas

Recently, the policy banning retailers from selling 3 kg LPG gas has created a wave of unrest in the community. Retailers, who have been at the forefront of gas distribution, are suddenly prohibited from operating, making the supply of gas to consumers scarce.

This decision is not an initiative of President Prabowo, but comes from Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, who is trying to ensure that the gas subsidy is targeted appropriately.

According to him, the involvement of retailers in the distribution of subsidized gas is difficult to monitor, thus risking unstable prices and misuse of subsidies.

However, this ban has actually triggered panic in the community, where many residents are struggling to find 3 kg LPG gas because retailers around them are no longer allowed to sell.

Seeing this concerning situation, President Prabowo intervened and requested that the policy be reviewed.

2. Prabowo Instructs Retailers to Resume Sales

In response to public unrest, President Prabowo swiftly took decisive action by instructing the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to reactivate LPG 3 kg gas retailers. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad explained that although the initial policy was not the President's initiative, the evolving situation forced Prabowo to act quickly.

"After communicating with the President, he instructed ESDM to immediately reactivate existing retailers so they can resume sales as usual," added Dasco.

This decision was warmly welcomed by the public, especially small business owners and households that heavily rely on gas supplies from retailers. Now, with the President's instruction, retailers can once again sell LPG 3 kg without obstacles, providing new hope for many parties.

3. Retailers Will Transform into Sub-Depots

Although retailers are now allowed to resume selling, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia is not standing still and is determined to overhaul the distribution system of 3 kg LPG gas.

One of the innovations he proposed is to elevate the status of retailers to sub-depots, a smart move aimed at ensuring that the distribution of subsidized LPG gas is more orderly and free from unreasonable price spikes.

With this change, retailers who wish to continue selling 3 kg LPG gas are required to comply with new regulations that will be implemented by the government for the common good.

4. 3 Kg LPG Gas Stock Remains Secure

In addition to the distribution policy, the government also ensures that the stock of 3 kg LPG gas remains secure. Despite some public unrest, Dasco emphasized that there is no reduction in supply or subsidies from the government.

"The stock is not scarce, the stock exists, the stock is confirmed to be not scarce," Dasco stated in his remarks.

This statement is also supported by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, who stated that the allocation of subsidies for 3 kg LPG gas in the state budget reaches Rp 87 trillion, so there is no reduction in volume or subsidies.

Thus, the public does not need to worry about the scarcity of 3 kg LPG gas, especially after retailers are allowed to sell as usual again.

5. The Impact of This Policy on Society

The decision to allow retailers to sell 3 kg LPG gas again has a positive impact on society. Some of the impacts include:

• People can more easily obtain 3 kg LPG gas, especially in areas far from official distribution points.
• Prices at the retail level can stabilize again, as supply flows smoothly.
• Small business actors such as food stalls and street vendors no longer have difficulty obtaining gas.

However, on the other hand, the change in the status of retailers to sub-distributors will also bring its own challenges. Retailers need to meet certain requirements in order to continue selling in accordance with the regulations set by the government.

6. Why were retailers previously prohibited from selling 3 kg LPG gas?

7. Can retailers now sell 3 kg LPG gas directly again?

8. Is the 3 kg LPG gas stock really safe?

9. What is meant by sub-base?

(kpl/rmt)