Minister Purbaya Responds to Calls to Switch to Pertalite: Not Everyone Should Switch

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has weighed in on the widespread social media campaign urging consumers to switch from Pertamax to Pertalite fuel after Pertamax prices rose to Rp 16,000 per litre. Purbaya admitted that his office has not calculated the risk of Pertamax consumers switching to the cheaper Pertalite. “We haven’t calculated it, but there will definitely be a certain percentage who switch. However, not everyone should switch. Why? Because those who buy Pertamax know their cars are suited for Pertamax,” he stated at the DPR RI complex on Thursday. He directed further questions on the matter to the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister. The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has acknowledged it is on alert for a potential shift by consumers from non-subsidised Pertamax to subsidised Pertalite following the 10 June 2026 price increase. Ministry spokesperson Dwi Anggia stated that the government realises the price hike could push some people towards cheaper products like Pertalite, but risks have been mitigated. She noted that to anticipate a surge in subsidised fuel consumption, the ministry will strengthen oversight of distribution, including the QR code system currently used for subsidised fuel purchases.