Indonesian Ulema Council Declares Subsidized 3 Kg LPGs Haram for the Rich

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) considers that rich people do not have the right to use subsidized liquefied petroleum gas or 3 kg . Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission Miftahul Huda said that the use of subsidized LPG by rich people could be considered haram in Islamic law.

Miftah said that subsidized LPG is an item that has been allocated for groups in need. Therefore, rich people should not use subsidized LPG. "Rich people do not have the right to use subsidized fuel oil (BBM) and gas," said Miftah as reported by MUI Digital on February 6, 2025.

According to Miftah, 3 kg LPG gas that receives government subsidies can only be used by poor households, micro businesses, and poor fishermen and farmers. "'All of that has been regulated in terms of distribution and includes sanctions and punishments for people who misuse it," said Miftah.

Miftah believes that Islamic teachings prohibit someone from unlawfully using the rights of others. "In Islamic law, the use of subsidized fuel and gas by rich people who are not entitled to it is forbidden," said Miftah.

Miftah conveyed a number of principles that are the basis of the Islamic religion forbidding this action. Among them are because it violates the principle of justice, misappropriation of the government's mandate for the poor, and can be considered as ghasab or using the rights of others without permission.

Therefore, Miftah appealed to the public to be wiser in utilizing government subsidies and not to take what is not their right. "This act is a major sin," said Miftah.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia previously said that the value of energy subsidies that have the potential to be off-target reached Rp100 trillion. This amount reaches 22.9 percent of the total allocation of energy subsidies and compensation this year which is Rp435 trillion.

"Approximately 20-30 percent of fuel and electricity subsidies have the potential to be misdirected, and that's a big number, approximately Rp100 trillion," Bahlil said in Jakarta, Monday, November 4, 2024.

Furthermore, Bahlil said that the existence of from the government aims to be distributed to residents who are entitled to receive subsidies. "We don't want subsidies that should be for our brothers and sisters whose economy is not yet good, to be received by our brothers and sisters whose economy is already good," he said.

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