Fuel Price Hike, DPR Member: Government Gives False Hope
A member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives, Mufti Anam, has criticised PT Pertamina’s policy of raising prices for non-subsidised fuels including Pertamax Turbo, Dexlite, and Pertamina Dex. According to Mufti, this policy contradicts the government’s promise that there would be no fuel price increases amid oil shortages due to the Middle East conflict.
On the other hand, he also takes issue with the price hike without prior socialisation by the government. “Once again, Pertamina is raising fuel prices without warning, and the increase is quite significant. This policy will undoubtedly burden the public greatly,” said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle politician in his statement on Sunday, 19 April 2026.
Based on fuel price information on the My Pertamina website, the price of Pertamax Turbo with RON 98 has risen from Rp 13,100 per litre to Rp 19,400 per litre. The Dexlite fuel has jumped from Rp 14,200 per litre to Rp 23,600 per litre. The price of Pertamina DEX has also surged from Rp 14,500 per litre to Rp 23,900 per litre.
Although subsidised fuel prices have not been raised, Mufti views this as a backward step because the government has failed to uphold its commitment. Mufti said the government only provides false reassurance and then unilaterally raises fuel prices.
“Yesterday, the public was reassured with the narrative that fuel prices would not rise. The people were asked to believe and stay calm,” he stated. “It turns out the government is truly giving false hope to the people.”
According to Mufti, the rise in non-subsidised fuel prices, which are more commonly used by middle to upper classes, will still impact all layers of society, including the lower economy. Especially if subsidised fuel supplies in certain areas become hampered, eventually forcing the public to switch to non-subsidised fuels.
“This is no longer about subsidised or non-subsidised. This is about justice for the people. And this is about the government’s sensitivity in raising fuel prices when the people’s economic conditions are not good,” he added.
Mufti is puzzled that when the Strait of Hormuz energy distribution route is opened, the government instead takes this extreme decision. He urges the government to immediately adjust prices as global conditions improve. Do not wait for the people to take action before prices change,” he said.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that the government will not raise subsidised fuel prices until the end of the year. He said this decision follows the directive of President Prabowo Subianto to maintain price stability because the national energy supply is still secure.
“I convey to the public that, insyaallah, our stocks are above the minimum standard, whether diesel, petrol, or LPG. Insyaallah, it is safe, and once again I say that we have agreed on the direction from Mr President that subsidised fuel prices will not be raised until the end of the year,” said Bahlil, quoted from a written statement, Friday, 17 April 2026.