Different levels of fuel prices for provinces may be introduced in four years

The government may consider to introduce different levels of fuel prices for the provinces in four years time after new players enter the downstream sector of the country?s oil industry in addition to state oil and gas firm Pertamina, company president director Baihaki Hakim said on Monday.

Baihaki, speaking to in a hearing with a House commission dealing with energy and mineral resources, said the government will continue to maintain for several years the current price systems which guarantee same prices of fuel for all parts of the country.

?I guess the implementation of such systems will be possible, say, in four years, after there are new players other than Pertamina,? Baihaki answered questions from a legislator.

?In the United States, fuel prices in Texas differ from those in California,? Baihaki added.

Earlier in the hearing the legislator complained why the price of fuel decided for consumers in oil producing areas like Cilacap in Central Java was similar to that in other areas. (leo)