Expert assesses inflation impact from Pertamax price hike as manageable

Energy expert from Padjadjaran University, Yayan Satyakti, assesses that the increase in Pertamax fuel prices will contribute an additional 0.3 to 0.7 points to inflation, but the situation remains manageable. “The Pertamax price hike adds 0.3 to 0.7 points to this year’s inflation. It is noticeable, but still under control as long as Pertalite and subsidised diesel prices do not increase,” he said when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday. Yayan explained that without the Pertamax price increase, 2026 inflation was estimated at 2.6 percent. With this increase, the 2026 inflation projection is in the range of 3.3 percent. “This means the Pertamax hike adds about 0.7 percentage points. The strongest impact will be felt in June, July, and August,” he said. He detailed that the inflation figure will partly register in June because price surveys run throughout the month, transport fares will adjust in July, and producers will raise goods prices in August. “After that, the adjustment is complete. This is a one-time price increase, not a continuous inflationary spiral. Inflation remains within Bank Indonesia’s target range of 2.5 plus-minus 1 percent,” Yayan stated. The accountable range of inflationary impact is 0.3 to 0.7 percentage points. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa opined that the impact of the Pertamax fuel price increase on inflation is relatively limited. Regarding the mechanism for subsidised fuel quotas, Purbaya declined to comment further and deferred full authority to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. Pertamina Patra Niaga announced the price increase for Pertamax and Pertamax Green fuel products effective 10 June 2026. According to a company press release received in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/6), starting 10 June 2026, the price of non-subsidised Pertamax (RON 92) rose from Rp12,300 to Rp16,250 per litre, and Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) rose from Rp12,900 to Rp17,000 per litre.