Deputy Interior Minister Responds to JK's Proposal: Removing Fuel Subsidies Would Burden the People

Tenth and twelfth Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla (JK), has proposed that the government reduce fuel subsidies amid the global energy crisis. Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya stated that JK's remarks do not align with the latest data. "Pak JK's statement that the government should remove fuel subsidies is too hasty and does not match the current data," Bima told reporters on Saturday (11/4/2026). This PAN DPP Chairman said that Indonesia's fuel stocks are sufficient. He stated that Indonesia's fuel supply does not primarily come from the Strait of Hormuz area. "The data shows that not only is our fuel availability still adequate, but our dependence on crude oil imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz is still at a moderate scale of 20%. The government is currently taking steps to divert those sources through other routes," he said. For context, as of Friday (10/4) yesterday, the Strait of Hormuz was closed again by Iran because Israel continues to intensify attacks on Lebanon. Iran stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed because Lebanon is part of the ceasefire agreement, so Israel should not continue launching attacks that cause casualties. Due to this situation, Indonesian tanker ships have not yet been able to exit the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding JK's proposal to reduce fuel subsidies, Bima said that the proposal could burden the people's needs. "In the government working meeting, the data on our fiscal condition presented in detail by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources shows that our financial situation is stable and under control. Removing subsidies would only burden the people and certainly create other domino effects that trouble the public," Bima stated. "Actually, Pak JK's thinking is very much needed to support the President's grand plan to accelerate our energy independence," he added.