DPR Commission XII Highlights Hormuz Strait Closure, Warns of Global Oil Price Surges

Jakarta, VIVA – Deputy Chair of Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Putri Zulkifli Hasan, spoke about the escalation of the United States–Israel–Iran conflict and the closure of the Hormuz Strait, a route widely cited in global oil trade. According to Putri, the government has moved swiftly and decisively to anticipate the impacts of the escalation. The statement by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto regarding secure fuel supplies indicates that the government has a well-developed mitigation scenario. ‘The government’s steps to ensure that national energy reserves remain secure are a positive signal for national economic stability,’ Putri said on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. Indonesia has also diversified energy import sources and forged strategic partnerships, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pertamina and American energy companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil, ensuring alternative supply routes remain open if global distribution is disrupted. However, Putri stressed that the main challenge is not merely supply availability, but the potential rise in global oil prices, which has now reached around USD 80 per barrel. This price rise risks increasing pressure on the state budget, particularly in subsidies and energy compensation, and could affect household purchasing power if not managed carefully. The PAN faction, she said, fully supports the government’s anticipatory steps to maintain energy and fiscal stability. Putri emphasised the importance of balancing safeguarding the health of the national budget with protecting the people, especially vulnerable groups. She stated that every policy should be based on prudence, data accuracy, and a bias towards the common people. ‘Commission XII will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and Pertamina to ensure national fuel stocks are secure, supply chains are controlled, and procurement strategies run effectively in the face of global dynamics,’ said the chair of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction in the DPR. In addition, Putri viewed this situation as an important moment to accelerate the strengthening of national energy resilience through increasing oil and gas production, optimising domestic resources, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.