JAKARTA. The government raises the budget of IDR 2.33 trillion to extend the stimulus programme, particularly the electricity fee relief for the people and business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This stimulus programme extension would start in September 2021. The relief arrangements, including the discount on electricity bills, electricity subscription fee relief, and exemption of minimum electricity bills minimum were initially scheduled to end in June 2021.
In a press conference today (2/7), the Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, reveals that the electricity tariff discounts extension would target 32.6 million users in domestic, business, and industry settings with a power level of 450 VA and domestic users with a subsidised 900 VA. This program would spend estimated additional funds of IDR 1.91 trillion.
Meanwhile, regarding the electricity subscription fee and minimum bills relief, the government had prepared extra cash of IDR 420 billion.
Previously, the government had spent IDR 5.67 trillion for the tariff stimulus arrangement that targeted 450 VA and 900 VA electricity users throughout Q1 2021. “Therefore, the total electricity bills discount to help the population, particularly lower-to-middle class, has now reached IDR 7.58 trillion,” the Minister confirms. (AM/ZH)