Bahlil Discusses Non-Subsidised Fuel Pricing Scheme, Pertamina to Bear Temporary Differential

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, held a meeting with private business entities managing public fuel filling stations (SPBU) to find a formulation for fuel oil (BBM) prices amid the surge in global oil prices. Bahlil stated that negotiations are still ongoing. “Regarding non-subsidised BBM prices, we are currently in discussions. These discussions naturally involve other private entities,” Bahlil said when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026). The government, he continued, is trying to regulate and find a good and prudent formulation. He said the government fully understands the current public situation amid the global oil price surge. Meanwhile, global oil prices for Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) are currently above $100 per barrel, higher than the average oil price in January 2026, where Brent (ICE) was $64 per barrel. “Up to now, we are regulating and seeking a good and prudent formulation. Wait until it’s finished, I will inform you,” Bahlil said. This statement relates to the government’s decision to hold non-subsidised BBM prices since early April 2026, as announced by the State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi on Tuesday (31/3). Prasetyo stated that the government ensures that fuel oil (BBM) prices, both subsidised and non-subsidised, will not experience increases. This decision was taken after coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT Pertamina, in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives. The government also assures that national BBM is in a safe and available condition, so the public is asked not to panic or worry about price increase issues. This price hold creates a differential between the selling price and the oil purchase price amid the global oil price surge. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa also stated that Pertamina is bearing the differential for non-subsidised fuel oil (BBM) prices temporarily, while non-subsidised BBM prices are not adjusted amid the global oil price surge.