Minister Bahlil Urges Luxury Car Owners to Avoid Using Subsidised Fuel

Tangerang, Banten - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has urged members of the public who use luxury cars not to use subsidised fuel, as such fuel is intended for those who are entitled to it.

“I urge those who are capable, have good incomes, belong to the middle-to-upper class, and drive high-end cars, not to use subsidised fuel,” Bahlil stated after attending the Electricity Connect 2026 event in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday.

Bahlil referred to findings in Makassar, South Sulawesi, where long queues were observed at petrol stations. Police reportedly discovered luxury cars with modified fuel tanks capable of holding up to 700 litres.

“There is indeed a shift (from non-subsidised to subsidised consumers); how can there not be a shift if such high-end cars are being filled with subsidised fuel, only to be resold later?” Bahlly said.

On Thursday (17/9), Bahlil noted that the issue of fuel scarcity that recently occurred in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has now been resolved and supply conditions have stabilised.

According to him, one of the factors causing fuel queues in Makassar was the shift in consumption from non-subsidised fuel to subsidised fuel. This shift occurred alongside the rise in global oil prices, which are currently above 100 US dollars per barrel.

Furthermore, Bahlil mentioned police findings regarding suspected excessive use of subsidised fuel, which also contributed to lengthening queues at several locations.

Bahlil stated that President Prabowo Subianto has directed that these issues be addressed immediately. The government continues to coordinate with PT Pertamina (Persero) as the entity responsible for implementing fuel policies on the ground.