State Enterprises Ministry Urged to Assess PLN`s Performance

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The State Enterprises Ministry must evaluate the performance of state electricity company, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), following power cuts in several parts of Jakarta on Monday, noted a lawmaker.

"The State Enterprises Ministry must evaluate PLNs performance. Why do power cuts that cause difficulties to the people still happen in a number of areas," member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VII Dito Ganinduto stated here on Tuesday.

As the supervisor of state-owned companies, including PLN, the ministry is also held responsible for the power cuts, he pointed out.

"The power cuts are part of the responsibility of the State Enterprises Ministry," he remarked.

Dito further added that PLN still receives a sizable amount of subsidy. Just in 2014, electricity subsidy reaches around Rp80 trillion.

In the past two years, PLN also raised the electricity tariffs for certain segments of its customers, including large households, businesses, and industries, he stated.

"During deliberations with the DPR some time ago, PLN pledged to improve performance and services. But the fact is that power cuts still happen," he stressed.

Several areas in the provinces of North Sumatra, Riau, East Kalimantan, and Papua have been facing power cuts for quite a long time, he reiterated.

Since Monday, power cuts have affected several parts of Jakarta and its western outskirts of Tangerang.

The power capacity of the Muara Karang-Gandul, Balaraja-Lontar, and Kembangan sub-systems had a deficit of around 750 MW on Tuesday as compared to 600 MW the day before.

The power cuts in Jakarta and Tangerang on Tuesday will be divided into three phases, with each phase covering three hours.

The first phase of power cuts from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. WIB (Western Indonesia Time) will cover Teluk Naga, Jl. Pasar Kemis, Jl. Raya Serang Balaraja, Serpong, BSD City, Bintaro, Kebon Jeruk, Bulungan, Tanah kusir, Menteng, Kedoya Raya, Ciputat, Pesangrahan, Bandengan, Kapuk Raya, Pantai Indah Kapuk, Cikokol, Serpong, Teluk Naga, Jl. Raya Legok, and Jl. Raya Karawaci.

The second phase of power cuts from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. WIB will cover Jl. Bitung, Jl. Raya Pasar Kemis, Jl. Raya Serang Balaraja, Gading Serpong, Jl. Raya Legok, Jl. Raya Mauk, Grogol, Daan Mogot, Cengkareng, Jl. Kyai Tapa, Cengkareng, Ciledug, Daan Mogot, Kedoya Raya, Jl. Gajah Mada, Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Jl. Curug Raya, Jl. Raya Cipondoh, Jl. Bhayangkara Serpong, and Alam Sutera.

The third phase of the power cuts from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. WIB covers Jl. Kapuk Kamal, Jl. Batu Ceper Raya, Jl. Raya Serang, Kali Angke, Taman Anggrek, Tomang Raya, Jl. Kapuk Kamal Muara, Jl. Kapuk Kayu Besar, Jl. Setiabudi, Jl. Kuningan, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Thamrin, Tanah Abang, Karawaci, Jl. Raya Pasar Kemis, and Jatake. (WDY)