Gas Sales Jump Before Price Increase
May 11, 2008
Gas sales rose sharply in Indonesia when the government oil company announced plans to raise the price.
Hanung Budya, deputy director of Pertamina, said the biggest spike was in central Java, where sales were up 15 percent in the first week of May, the Jakarta Post reported. In many other areas, sales were up 7 percent.
Police were posted at gas stations in many parts of the country Friday. Pertamina officials said they cannot control demand but can try to make sure distribution is fair.
One official said industrial users of gasoline will be required to show special permits to buy large quantities of gasoline to prevent hoarding.