Jakarta – Aria Bima, a House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission VI lawmaker, has advised state-owned oil giant Pertamina to prepare for a probable rise in gasoline demand during the Eid al-Fitr homecoming season, which is scheduled for next April.
“There is a great likelihood that if the COVID-19 situation continues to improve, there will be a spike in people’ mobility over the Eid homecoming period,” Bima said in a statement released here on Tuesday.
Movement restrictions imposed by the government during the COVID-19 epidemic in the previous two years had resulted in a decrease in gasoline usage, he said, because citizens were unable to travel to their hometowns over the Eid al-Fitr holiday season.
Earlier, Alfian Nasution, President Director of Pertamina subsidiary firm Pertamina Patra Niaga, stated that the loosening of movement limitations and travel requirements has encouraged citizens to participate in the Eid al-Fitr homecoming ritual.
The national economy, which is expected to increase by 5.2 percent by the end of 2021, stimulated economic activity among citizens throughout the Eid holiday, he noted.
“To prepare for a probable rise in fuel consumption during the Eid homecoming period, Pertamina has ensured that its gasoline and gas supplies are steady, and we have also ready all infrastructures,” Nasution said.
He stated that Pertamina expected Pertalite fuel (RON 90) sales to climb by 1.2 percent and Pertamax fuel (RON 92) sales to increase by 14.8 percent over the time.
According to the president director, sales of Pertamax Turbo fuel (RON 98) are expected to fall by 5%, diesel Solar and Dexlite fuel will fall by 5%, and Pertamina Dex fuel will fall by 4%.
The expected rise in Pertamax gasoline sales is due to travelers’ propensity for using the fuel during the homecoming time, he noted.
