BPH Migas Defers Fuel Restriction Issue to Government
The head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), Wahyudi Anas, has stated that the issue of restricting subsidised fuel (BBM) purchases will be announced directly by the government. Regarding the circulating rumours, he emphasised that BPH Migas will adhere to official decisions from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).
Anas neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of a BPH Migas-headed decree regulating these subsidised fuel restrictions.
“It is in line with BPH Migas’s duties and functions going forward. But everyone must wait for the government’s command. Don’t convey it faster than that, friends,” said Anas during a press conference at the BPH Migas office in Jakarta on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
When asked about the genuineness of the decree, Anas was reluctant to comment further. He stressed that no official decision has been announced or published on BPH Migas’s official website to date.
“Certainly, if it comes from the government, we will follow it. It is impossible for us to regulate before the government issues a statement on the mechanism for the public to purchase BBM,” he stated.
Previously, a Decree of the Head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Number 024/KOM/BPH.DBBM/2026, dated 30 March 2026, had circulated. The policy reportedly tasks PT Pertamina (Persero) with controlling the distribution of subsidised BBM. One measure outlined is limiting the daily purchase volume per vehicle.
For Pertalite, four-wheeled vehicles, whether private or public transport, are limited to a maximum of 50 litres per day. This rule also applies to public service vehicles such as ambulances, hearses, and fire engines.
Meanwhile, diesel (Solar) restrictions are differentiated by vehicle type. Four-wheeled vehicles are limited to 50 litres per day, four-wheeled public transport to 80 litres per day, and six-wheeled or larger vehicles to a maximum of 200 litres per day. Public service vehicles like ambulances and fire engines are also limited to 50 litres of Solar per day.
The regulation also states that purchases exceeding the quota will be charged at non-subsidised prices or calculated as general fuel (JBU).
As of this report, the Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of ESDM, Laode Sulaeman, and Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Corporate Secretary, Roberth MV Dumatubun, have not responded to confirmation requests sent via their mobile numbers.