Use of coal briquette discouraged by huge kerosene subsidy

Secretary general of the Ministry of Mines and Energy Djoko Darmono said the use of coal briquette as a source of energy in the country was still very low particularly due to the huge government subsidy on kerosene which prompted the people to use fuel product.

"With a relatively similar price, people will tend to use kerosene than coal briquette," Djoko said.

He added that the people had not been used to coal briquette.

"So as long as the government continues with its kerosene subsidy, it's difficult to expect an encouraging development in coal briquette," he said.

Djoko was speaking to the press during his visit to a coal briquette manufacturing center in Bengkulu province. (*)