Finance Minister Purbaya has not calculated additional subsidy burden from Pertamax-Pertalite shift

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has admitted he has not yet calculated the potential additional budget for subsidies resulting from a consumer shift, or shifting, from non-subsidised fuel such as Pertamax to the subsidised fuel Pertalite. Speaking to journalists at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Thursday, Purbaya acknowledged there will be a shift in consumption following the increase in the price of Pertamax, which has been set at Rp16,250 per litre. However, he contended that the shift in consumption is unlikely to be dominant. He argued that some consumers will continue to use Pertamax to maintain their vehicles’ health. “We have not calculated (the potential additional subsidy budget). There will certainly be some percentage who switch, but it shouldn’t be all of them. Why? Because those who buy Pertamax know their cars are suited for Pertamax,” said Purbaya. He admitted there are no current plans to calculate the potential additional subsidy spending in the State Budget (APBN) due to the fuel price adjustment. He deferred the projection of the percentage of consumer migration from Pertamax to Pertalite to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, as the responsible authority. Separately, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that the shift in fuel consumption has not been massive. “Alhamdulillah, the shifting has not been too large,” said ESDM Ministry Spokesperson Dwi Anggia. Anggia noted that the visible consumer shift so far has been from Pertamax Turbo users moving to Pertamax. Although the migration from Pertamax to Pertalite is not yet massive, Anggia said the Ministry has anticipated the issue by implementing the use of QR codes for Pertalite purchases and ordering Pertamina to increase supervision of Pertalite sales. Anggia stressed that the government has guaranteed that subsidised fuels such as Pertalite and Biodiesel will not see price increases until the end of the year. The policy is a form of “pro-little people” policy aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from energy price volatility amidst the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. Pertamina Patra Niaga announced price increases for Pertamax and Pertamax Green fuel products effective 10 June 2026. According to a corporate press release received in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/6), from 10 June 2026 the price of non-subsidised Pertamax (RON 92) rises from Rp12,300 to Rp16,250 per litre, while Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) increases from Rp12,900 to Rp17,000 per litre. The subsidised fuel Pertalite remains priced at Rp10,000 per litre and Biodiesel remains at Rp6,800 per litre.