JAKARTA. State oil and gas company Pertamina says it has increased the supply of 3 kilogram liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters to the western area of Java from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27 in a bid to secure availability and stabilize the price of the commodity.

The head of external relations at Pertamina Western Java marketing division, Milla Suciyani, said in Jakarta on Thursday that the firm would increase the supply of 3 kg LPG canisters in Bogor by around 260,000 and in Depok by 93,000.

Other areas, such as Cianjur, Cirebon, Garut, Kuningan and Majalengka, would also be provided around 50 percent greater supply than their initial daily allocations.

“This policy is to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of 3 kg LPG canisters and consumers can get them for the normal price,” said Milla.

She explained that Pertamina was also carrying out market operations in a number of locations reported to have experienced a shortage of 3 kg LPG canisters.

On Wednesday, Pertamina held 3 kg LPG canister market operations in Cikarang, Citeureup and Tambun. However, only between 40 and 60 canisters, or around 10 percent of the 560 canisters readied in each location, were sold.

Pertamina would continue to hold market operations in different locations until consumers faced no difficulty in getting the canisters at normal prices, said Milla.

“On Thursday, markets operations were conducted in Cinere and Sukmajaya, Cibinong, and in Tamansari, Bogor,” said Milla.

She added people also could buy the 3 kg LPG canisters at gas filling stations.

“If they still face difficulties obtaining 3 kg LPG canisters, please call us on [021] 500000,” she said.

Editor: Hendra Gunawan