InfoSAWIT, NORTH ACEH — Shortages of subsidized 3-kilogram LPG cylinders have again been reported by residents in North Aceh Regency. At least five households in Lhoksukon Subdistrict were forced to travel tens of kilometers in search of cooking gas, only to return empty-handed.

Chairman of the Aceh Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS Aceh), Abubakar AR, expressed concern after witnessing the situation firsthand on Monday afternoon (December 15, 2025).

“I was stopped by housewives from Ulee Tanoh Village who asked where they could still buy 3-kg LPG,” Abubakar told InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (December 16, 2025).

According to residents, they traveled by motorcycle to several neighboring villages, even reaching Simpang Rangkaya in Tanah Luas Subdistrict, covering a round trip of nearly 50 kilometers. Despite their efforts, no gas was available.

Village head Herman confirmed the shortage, noting that residents even chased an LPG delivery truck along the Lhoksukon–Cot Girek road, but were unable to purchase cylinders as supplies were reportedly allocated to other villages.

SPKS Aceh urged the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to evaluate the performance of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut, and called on the North Aceh local government to ensure proper distribution at the base level.

“LPG is a basic necessity. The state must be present to guarantee its availability,” Abubakar stressed. (T2)