Bahlil Reveals Contents of Conversation with Prabowo Behind Decision to Keep Subsidised Fuel Prices Unchanged

Golkar Chairman and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, recounted the content of his discussions with President Prabowo Subianto behind the decision not to raise subsidised fuel prices. Bahlil also discussed the matter with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. “In our discussion, I conveyed to Mr President, ‘Sir, if the ICP reaches $100, we propose that if possible, we should not raise the subsidised oil prices.’ Fortunately, I continued discussing with Mr Coordinating Minister, who is also a former Golkar Chairman. This is essentially the result of collaboration between senior and junior Golkar Chairmen, more or less like that,” Bahlil said in his speech at the Golkar Party’s halal bihalal event at the DPP Golkar Party, West Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Bahlil then recounted the moment when subsidised fuel prices were not increased. He said this moment differs from the COVID-19 pandemic period. “In our view, when I discussed with colleagues at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, if we raise fuel prices in normal conditions, there might still be sensitivity because people do not face extraordinary economic pressures, so raising it would be clear,” he explained. “But now the economic pressure is high. This is actually like COVID. The difference is that during COVID we could not leave the house because of the disease, but now we can leave the house, yet the economic pressure is not much different from COVID,” Bahlil added. Bahlil also stated that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is helping to find funds related to maintaining subsidised fuel prices. “Not only are we not raising it, but we at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources are also finding the money. So far, it has only been about raising and requesting funds. But now, to maintain it without raising, we are finding the money,” he explained. Bahlil then recounted the time when LPG gas reserves were dwindling. Bahlil admitted to being somewhat confused at the time. “On the 4th of this month, our LPG reserves were less than 10 days, on the 4th. Ideally, it should be at least 10 days. But alhamdulillah, we were able to direct several of our cargoes, negotiations with Japan succeeded, then with Australia and Brunei Darussalam,” he said. Bahlil stated that the current LPG supply is secure. He said LPG reserves can now exceed 10 days. “And now ships have arrived, and our reserves are now above 10 days for LPG. So it’s passed. This is what really confused me,” Bahlil said.