TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia signals the inclusion of online ojek, or online motorcycle taxis, as the recipients of fuel subsidies through the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scheme.

"Online ojek drivers will be classified as MSMEs," said Minister Bahlil when met in Jakarta on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, quoted from Antara.

Bahlil explains that his ministry is currently conducting a study to distinguish between vehicles owned by motorcycle taxi drivers and those that are not. The reason was because fuel subsidy is given to yellow-plate vehicles or public transportation. 

The minister said the fuel subsidy for MSMEs will be given through price reductions for goods or incentives instead of direct cash assistance (BLT).

According to Bahlil, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is waiting for data matching conducted by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) as the basis for data formulation for targeted fuel and electricity subsidies. "Once it's done, we will announce it," he said.

Previously, the government reportedly prepared three options to distribute energy subsidies, including redirecting all fuel subsidies to direct cash assistance, maintaining fuel subsidies in the form of goods for all transportation and public facilities, and increasing subsidized fuel prices.

Online ojek drivers previously threatened to take to the streets if their fuel subsidy was withdrawn. The demonstration plan was conveyed by the Chief of the Indonesian Ride-Hailing Motorcycle Association, Garda Indonesia, Igun Wicaksono, in response to the decision by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, to withdraw fuel subsidies for online motorcycle taxis.

"If online ojek drivers cannot receive or fill up subsidized fuel, then a wave of mass protests will surely occur throughout Indonesia to protest the decision of Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia," Igun said when contacted on Thursday, November 28.

Igun stated that he would consolidate up to 4 million workers who are members of the association to carry out a mass protest. If a mass strike of online ojek drivers is carried out, Igun believes it will disrupt the national distribution pattern of goods.

Vedro Immanuel contributed to the writing of this article.

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