Impact of Oil Price Increases from War, Blue Bird Boss: The Important Thing is Fuel Availability

Jakarta, Kompas.com — PT Blue Bird Tbk (BIRD) has stated that potential increases in global oil prices, which could drive up domestic fuel prices, will certainly affect the company’s operations.

Chief Executive Officer Adrianto (Andre) Djokosoetono stated that what matters most for the company is the availability of fuel domestically.

“Yes, it will certainly have an impact, but look, Blue Bird has frequently experienced fuel price changes. So what’s important is that fuel is available, not whether the price goes up or stays the same,” he said during Blue Bird Group’s Media Iftar Gathering on Monday (9/6/2026).

“It’s not about fuel being expensive,” he added.

Andre indicated that as long as fuel prices increase, the company will make adjustments and business will continue operating normally.

“We have precedent for this; we have experienced it many times before and it always works out like this,” he stated.

He emphasised that there is no fuel price increase that is not followed by a tariff increase and adjustments across all business lines.

However, he noted that this will depend significantly on how the government raises fuel prices to avoid placing pressure on the public.

“It depends on the price and supply,” he concluded.

For context, escalating Middle East conflict has triggered concerns about Indonesia’s state budget and expenditure (APBN).

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the government is still monitoring developments in the situation before determining policy steps.

The government has opened the possibility of adjusting subsidised fuel prices if the surge in global oil prices continues.

Purbaya explained that the government has conducted simulations against several scenarios of rising oil prices.

The calculations show that the budget deficit could potentially increase if oil prices surge.

“If oil prices rise to 92 US dollars per barrel, what is the impact on our deficit? If we do nothing, our deficit would rise to 3.6 to 3.7 per cent of GDP,” Purbaya said during a gathering with journalists at the Finance Ministry on Friday (6/3/2026).

The government is considering several measures to contain pressure on the state budget. One option involves adjusting state spending.

The government is also opening the possibility of sharing the burden with the public through adjusting subsidised fuel prices.