RI's fuel consumption follows the trend in industrialized nations

The pattern of the Indonesian fuel consumption has followed the trend in industrialized nations such as the United States, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

"Just like in the United States and other industrialized nations, the fuel consumption in Indonesia rises significantly during a long holiday," the minister said, citing the demand for fuel in several tourist destinations in the country had indicated a significant increase during the current school holidays.

According to him, the strong demand from holiday makers had partly contributed to the shortage of the fuel in the country's several provinces recently. Several provinces particularly East Java and Central Java suffered serious fuel shortages two weeks ago due to the reduction in the fuel supply from Pertamina.

Purnomo said that the government was trying any possible efforts to put the national fuel stock to its normal level such as by providing more cash to Pertamina to enable it to increase its oil imports. The current fuel stocks are enough only for 18 days. Normally, the fuel stocks should be enough for 22 days. (Godang)