Analyst Says Non-Subsidised Fuel Price Hike Is Reasonable, Here's Why!

The Executive Director of the Centre for Energy and Mining Law Studies (PUSHEP), Bisman Bakhtiar, has deemed the increase in the price of the non-subsidised fuel Pertamax (RON 92) to Rp16,250 per litre, effective 10 June 2026, as reasonable. He even suggested that the increase was somewhat late compared to the price hike for Pertamina’s diesel fuel, Pertamina Dex, some time ago. Bisman explained to CNBC Indonesia on Thursday that as a general fuel type, its selling price follows global crude oil developments and the very high US dollar exchange rate. He stated that the recent rise in global oil prices has inevitably increased fuel procurement costs. According to him, this move was necessary because not raising prices would heavily impact Pertamina’s financial burden. Bisman emphasised that this price adjustment can help reduce financial pressure when fuel procurement costs rise. With a price not far from the economic price, potential losses from non-subsidised fuel sales can be minimised. On the other hand, he expressed hope that Pertamina must ensure Pertalite distribution remains controlled to prevent a surge in consumption exceeding the set quota. Furthermore, distribution on the ground must remain selective, ensuring Pertalite is only for those entitled, in coordination with BPH Migas and the government for effective supervision. He concluded that it is also necessary to guarantee quality, availability, and loyalty programmes for Pertamax users so consumers remain loyal. Previously, VP of Commercial & Shipping Business Development at Pertamina Patra Niaga, Sigit Setiawan, explained that fuel prices in the global market had experienced a significant increase due to rising international geopolitical tensions, which spurred a surge in world crude oil prices. He noted that Pertamina had been trying to hold back increases in the selling price of non-subsidised fuel, particularly Pertamax, even though its import procurement costs had exceeded the price sold at petrol stations. This Pertamax price hike is the first since the spike in world oil prices following the Israel-Iran war, which broke out on 28 February 2026. While other non-subsidised fuels experienced price increases as early as 18 April 2026, Pertamax prices had not yet been adjusted. According to him, the economic price of Pertamax (RON 92) is now in the range of Rp20,000 to Rp21,000 per litre. This means that although the Pertamax price has now risen to Rp16,250 per litre, it remains below its economic price. Speaking at a DEN Energy Gathering event at the IPB Campus in Bogor, he clarified that due to yesterday’s geopolitical conditions, RON 92 is trading at around Rp20,000 to Rp21,000 in the market, and they had still been attempting to hold the price at Rp12,300. He stated that by regulation, the pricing of domestic non-subsidised fuel follows market prices and does not receive fiscal assistance from the government. Therefore, Pertamina stresses that the price adjustment is crucial to ensure the company’s ability to repurchase fuel raw materials on the international market to safeguard national stock security.