Commission VI Member Warns of Need to Anticipate Impact of Non-Subsidised Fuel Price Hike

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives Commission VI Firnando Ganinduto has reminded the government to anticipate the impact of the rise in non-subsidised fuel oil (BBM) prices, such as the shift in consumption from non-subsidised to subsidised BBM and the increase in the prices of basic necessities. He highlighted the impact of the non-subsidised BBM price increase, particularly on the middle-class group. The rise in non-subsidised BBM prices has the potential to increase household expenditure burdens and suppress purchasing power. “This situation could trigger the phenomenon of ‘energy downgrading’, namely the shift in consumption from non-subsidised BBM to subsidised BBM,” said Firnando in his statement in Jakarta on Saturday. He explained that this shift must be anticipated with stricter supervision to ensure that subsidies remain on target. Firnando stressed that subsidised BBM should not be enjoyed by affluent groups in society, thus requiring strengthened systems for monitoring distribution and delivery in the field. In addition, he also urged the government to control indirect impacts through the logistics sector. By encouraging control over logistics tariffs, including through the provision of various incentives, so that distribution costs do not rise and trigger price increases for goods. Efforts to stabilise food prices also became his main focus, so Firnando asked the government to intensify measures such as market operations and distribution interventions to maintain the affordability of basic necessity prices amid rising energy prices. This is important to ensure that energy policies do not cause a domino effect on inflation and public welfare. “We in the House of Representatives Commission VI affirm that the absence of a subsidised BBM price increase must be a restraining factor so that basic commodity prices remain stable,” he said. However, the government must still be vigilant against the impact of the non-subsidised BBM price increase, especially on the middle class. “Subsidy monitoring must be tightened, distribution must be maintained, and food price stabilisation and logistics tariff control must be priorities,” said Firnando. The government has assured that there will be no increase in subsidised BBM prices as of 18 April 2026. A significant increase occurred in non-subsidised BBM, such as Pertamax Turbo which rose from Rp13,100 to Rp19,400 per litre, Dexlite from Rp14,200 to Rp23,600 per litre, and Pertamina Dex from Rp14,500 to Rp23,900 per litre. Meanwhile, subsidised BBM prices remain unchanged, such as Pertalite at Rp10,000 per litre and solar at Rp6,800 per litre. In addition, Pertamax also did not experience a change and its price remains Rp12,300 per litre. This increase is inseparable from global dynamics, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that affect world oil prices. The absence of an increase in subsidised BBM prices should provide no reason for market players to raise basic commodity prices.