Here Are the Vehicles That Will Not Be Affected by Pertalite Fuel Restrictions
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has confirmed that not all vehicles will be affected by the planned policy to restrict purchases of subsidised fuel, particularly Pertalite (RON 90). The restriction will only target four-wheeled vehicles or cars.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that motorcycle users will still be allowed to purchase Pertalite as usual. He emphasised that the government has not yet imposed any new bans or special restrictions targeting two-wheeled vehicle owners’ access to the subsidised fuel.
“No, motorcycles are not restricted. That means there is no change for motorcycles. Be careful not to make that the headline, thank you,” Bahlil said at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Bahlil explained that the subsidy restriction is aimed at types of vehicles deemed ineligible to receive it. He cited luxury cars such as BMWs and Mercedes-Benz as categories of vehicles that should no longer use Pertalite.
“So, regarding the restriction, there will be certain types of vehicles. You shouldn’t be using a BMW or a Mercedes and still use subsidised fuel. That is what the Minister (Purbaya) meant earlier,” he said.
On the same occasion, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government is reviewing the implementation of restrictions on purchasing subsidised Pertalite, especially for upper-economic groups. One scheme being studied is limiting the subsidy for people in the 9th and 10th deciles.
According to him, the restriction could be implemented gradually. The government is currently studying the system to ensure the policy can be applied properly.
“So we discussed the possibility of implementing restrictions on Pertalite subsidies for the upper levels, perhaps deciles 9 and 10, so that in a few months we can reduce it gradually. We are studying the system, and I have seen that Pertamina’s system is quite good and ready to be implemented,” he said.