Indonesia seeks faster action on fishermen’s subsidised diesel access
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming asked a special staff member to oversee distribution in Cilacap and called for follow-up on permit obstacles.
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has called for action to address fishermen’s difficulties obtaining subsidised diesel in Cilacap, Central Java, asking Vice Presidential Special Staff Tina Talisa to oversee local distribution.
During discussions at the Tegalkatilayu Fish Auction Port, Gibran said the government was responsible for ensuring diesel availability. He asked Tina to monitor whether supplies were reaching eligible recipients and meeting fishermen’s requirements.
Gibran also raised difficulties with obtaining the recommendation letters needed to buy subsidised fuel. Fishermen operating vessels under 30 gross tonnage (GT) who lacked the letters were advised to approach their local Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency (DKP). He requested data on those affected so their cases could be followed up promptly.
A fisherman named Temu said vessels measuring 30 GT or less still faced shortages of subsidised diesel. Another fisherman, Agustin, welcomed the policy providing diesel specifically for vessels measuring 31–200 GT, saying it had helped them keep fishing.
Gibran said specific barriers needed to be identified before solutions could be determined. The discussions also covered clean water, social assistance, village services, equal access to public services and sustainable aviation fuel made from used cooking oil.
