Fuel conversion program will begin in April: Energy Minister

The government?s program to switch the use of fuel for cars from petroleum fuel to gas will begin in April this year as initially scheduled, but it will be implemented gradually, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said.

?The change from petroleum gasoline to gas has become the government?s policy, but it will be carried out gradually, not in a hurry,? Minister Jero told a press conference at his office on Monday, adding that the gas conversion kits would not be simultaneously installed on 250,000 cars. ?But not like in Malaysia where it took 17 years to install conversion kits on 41,000 cars,? he said.

?The government is seriously trying to carry out the conversion program because fuel is getting more expensive. Our oil production is declining while we have an abundant gas reserve,? he said.

He further said that during a recent hearing with the commission VII of the House of Representatives, the government had been asked to make a roadmap for the conversion program.

The government and the legislators agreed that the 2012 state budget would be revised to allow for the implementation of the fuel sale restriction plan, he added.

Meanwhile, Director General of Oil and Gas Evita H. Legowo said that the restriction of subsidized fuel sales policy would first be implemented with government?s cars. ?Government institutions' cars not using gas should use non-susbdized fuel Pertamax begining April 1, 2012,? she added.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.