Gibran Responds to Jusuf Kalla's Proposal to Increase Fuel Prices

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has responded to the proposal by the 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla for the government to increase fuel prices.

Vice President Gibran stated that the government takes every incoming proposal seriously, but raising fuel prices in the current situation is deemed not appropriate.

“The government appreciates and gives serious attention to various inputs, including from Mr Jusuf Kalla regarding the proposal to raise fuel prices. However, I apologise, but this does not align with the directives of President Prabowo, who has clearly and firmly instructed his apparatus to maintain the stability of subsidised fuel prices to keep them affordable for the lower strata of society,” Gibran said in a written statement on Thursday (9/4/2026).

Nevertheless, Gibran emphasised that efficiency and budget reallocation will continue to be implemented so that the impact of rising global oil prices does not disrupt the national economy.

“The government is determined to carry out efficiency and refocusing of the budget to protect the lower strata of society from being burdened by the chain effects of fuel price increases, such as rises in staple goods prices, transportation costs, etc.”

“In addition, the acceleration of the transition to the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy is also being continuously promoted. Today, the President visited Magelang to inaugurate the Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant, as one form of the government’s seriousness.”

Previously, in an interview with a national media outlet, Jusuf Kalla urged the government to raise fuel prices so that energy sector subsidies do not swell. As is known, global oil prices have surged significantly due to the war between Iran and the US-Israel. This geopolitical conflict has triggered an energy crisis in several countries.