Limiting the Subsidized Petrol

A smart card could be used to limit the quantity of subsidized petrol a person can consume per month proposed Head of TIEM-BPPT. This limitation means that everyone would be restricted to use only some liters amount of subsidized petrol per month. What happens if a smart card owner lend or rent his card to others in need? Wouldn’t this smart card give also similar problem to other alternative ways of limiting the subsidized petrol sales.

 

Limiting Fuel Consumption

Instead of limiting the number of liters of Premium 88 that someone can consume in a month, the Indonesian Government has decided to limit the person that can consume the so called subsidized petrol.

This user limitation is not coming out of the blue, but through a strong protest made by media, specifically TV who caught and interviewed rich people filling their luxury car’s tanks with subsidized petrol. Most of them claiming their right as they are tax payer, hence should enjoy what their money is used for. Should the tax officers be asked about whether or not they are tax payers, the question should lightly shift to whether or not they paid their tax accurately. Someone who ‘steals’ subsidy petrol for poor people, would also be easily ‘stealing’ people’s money  in reporting their taxes.

The Government was still in doubt whether they limit to only cars with engine of maximum 1300cc, or 1500cc, or up to 2000cc. The consideration was the fact that many of the older public transportation called Mikrolet are using Toyota Kijang with 1800cc engines. Their newer replacement, Daihatsu Grand Max are equipped with 1500cc engines. The smaller ones used by Angkot (Angkutan Perkotaan) are using Suzuki Carry 1000cc are perhaps the much bigger majority of all. While for the wealthier population, taxis are mostly using Toyota Limo/Vios which are powered by 1500cc engines.

On the other hand, the middle class population who do not have any alternatives of using public transport have to drive their small efficient cars. The most popular cars for this strata of society are Toyota Avanza which is also called as Mobil Sejuta Umat, and Daihatsu Xenia. While Avanza has two engine options 1300cc or 1500cc (Type S), Xenia has 1000cc and 1300cc. Xenia is relatively cheaper than Avanza, so that most people chose Xenia instead. In fact, those who bought Avanza, later on resort to Xenia for the cheaper spare parts. The decision to limit up to 1300cc really shows depth in the knowledge and sensitivity of our policy makers.

The question is raised of whether such policy has accommodated those who cannot afford new cars and instead buy second hand cars. The older the car is usually the cheaper is the price, and the more inefficient is the fuel consumption. Older cars do not necessarily co-related to big engines. Daihatsu Ceria, for example, is equipped with 800cc engines. Their prices are affordable, mostly being below Rp50Million.

A more serious question is raised of whether the Government will stop its effort only up to this limitation. Would there be quantity limitation? I guess, the answer will be yes, when the discussed policy is not sufficient. What about the diesel price? Why can’t the Government impose similar policy? The answer, I guess, is it should. Even though, we do not need to import diesel fuel, its consumption should be limited, as it contains some subsidies as well.

 

Capable Population of Indonesia

Recently, after the exhibition by the Surakarta Mayor Joko Widodo who has replaced his official car from Toyota Camry to Kiat Esemka, the work from SMK students steal the people attention almost every day. While the President SBY appears to be very supportive to the idea of making Esemka as Mobnas (National Car) project, Vice President Boediono says he is proud of the Kiat Esemka car project in Surakarta, Central Java, but warned against being hasty in declaring the vehicle a national project that would only be a drain on state resources.

In Magelang, Central Java, students of SMK Muhammadiyah 2 unveiled their creations ranging from SUV car to ambulance and mini-truck. The students’ success in assembling the vehicles is thanks to strong supports provided by the government through its car assembling program started in 2009, the principal, Suyitno, said.

In Surabaya, East Java, SMKN 2 showcased a mini-truck called Patua that its students have assembled, while in Makassar, South Sulawesi, SMKN 5 introduced multi-purpose van called Moko that the students assembled with assistance from PT Industri Kereta Api Madiun.

 

Flea Markets in Jakarta

List of flea markets in Jakarta. It is an unexhaustive list of places where those with limited budget to fulfill their needs, like new houses, new offices, new employed staff, students, anyone.

• Pasar Buku, Jl. Kwitang Raya CJ. Find used books, some of their covers might be not intact, but they are very cheap. New but close to genuine quality can sometimes be found as well.

• Pasar Toilet, Jl. Minangkabau SJ. For new families to have quality used toilet, sinks, etc. Maybe a bit old fashioned, but very robust and already refurbished like new.

• Pasar Kesehatan, Pasar Rumput, SJ. You can get used wheel chairs, adjustable patient beds. Offers buy back warranty.

• Pasar Furniture Kantor, Jl. Saharjo, Tebet, SJ. For new businesses and offices to buy chairs, safes, cabinets, desks, metal racks, and so on. Beware of cheaters, look thoroughly before bargaining for the price.

• Pasar Poncol, Senen, CJ. All for one flea market, you can almost everything here, from used cassettes, antique watches, garden lamps, cameras, mobile phones, electronics, bike or car accessories, and others. At least 70% cheaper than RRP of those new ones.

• Pasar Keramik, Rawasari, CJ. If you need tiles and other industrial ceramics, you can get them here half price.

• Pasar Loak, Jalan Surabaya, Menteng, CJ. Various used things. Nowadays, more focused on antiques, luggage, and other international tourists’ demand.

• Taman Puring, Kebayoran Baru, SJ. All fashionable branded items can be found here with a near to genuine quality but very low prices.

• Pasar Ular (PaUl), Plumpang NJ. All export rejects can be found here.

• Pasar Flohmak, BSD – outskirts of Jakarta. Quality used items and very cheap.

 

 

Hello world!

Peace be upon you guys!

Well, I’m writing this as a realisation of my 2008 new year’s resolution. I hope I can continue with other resolutions as well. So, please keep your fingers crossed.