The increase in the price of Pertamax (RON 92) fuel has raised concerns that consumers may shift their consumption toward Pertalite, potentially creating additional pressure on the State Budget (APBN).

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, together with relevant stakeholders, has prepared a comprehensive set of mitigation measures to address this possibility. One of the key actions will be stricter supervision of subsidized fuel distribution to ensure that it reaches its intended recipients.

This policy is intended to guarantee that subsidized fuel continues to be utilized by eligible communities while ensuring that the APBN fuel subsidy quota remains sufficient through the end of the year.

According to Purbaya, the increase in Pertamax prices to Rp16,250 per liter is not expected to trigger a significant rise in national inflation. The broader impact of the policy on the prices of goods and services is anticipated to remain limited.

This confidence is based on the fact that most Pertamax users are middle- to upper-income private vehicle owners rather than freight transportation operators or public transport services, which play a crucial role in the distribution of essential goods.

As a result, national production and logistics cost structures are not expected to experience substantial disruption. The Finance Minister emphasized that inflation throughout 2026 is projected to remain stable and stay within the assumptions outlined in the 2026 State Budget.

“The inflationary impact should be limited because Pertamax is not typically used for public transportation or freight transport vehicles,” Purbaya stated.