Bahlil confirms Pertalite restriction plan still under review

Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has confirmed that the plan to restrict Pertalite for the ninth and tenth deciles is still under review, meaning Pertalite distribution is currently proceeding as usual.

“The Pertalite restriction is still under discussion,” Bahlil said when met on the sidelines of The 12th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) 2026 held in Jakarta on Wednesday.

If the discussions have not yet produced a decision, he continued, Pertalite distribution will continue as it is at present.

Accordingly, Bahlil said the rules currently in force are 200 litres of Pertalite per day for buses and lorries, and 50 litres per day for four-wheeled vehicles.

“It is still just like that,” he said.

On that occasion, he reminded that Pertalite is intended for people who are entitled to energy subsidies. For those who are already well-off, Bahlil asked them to consume non-subsidised fuel.

“Those who are already wealthy, those who are already able, should not take away the people’s rights. Subsidies are for our brothers and sisters who are entitled to receive them,” Bahlil said.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that controls on fuel subsidies, particularly Pertalite, are being carried out gradually and that Pertamina’s system is also capable of supporting such restrictions.

He said that fuel subsidy controls could be implemented by prohibiting people in the ninth and tenth deciles from purchasing Pertalite. People in the ninth and tenth deciles would be required to buy non-subsidised fuel.

According to him, fuel subsidy controls are still under discussion and are expected to be implemented not long after all systems are ready.

Purbaya stated that the policy of restricting purchases of subsidised fuel, particularly Pertalite, aims to ensure that subsidies are distributed precisely on target.