MP: Fuel Price Stability Shows Government's Support for the People
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives Commission VI, Muhammad Sarmuji, views the government’s decision not to raise the price of fuel oil (BBM) as a form of support for the people while also safeguarding public purchasing power amid global economic pressures.
“In the current situation, managing to keep prices from rising, especially for subsidised BBM, is already a challenging struggle. The government is showing real support for the people by maintaining purchasing power amid global pressures,” said Sarmuji in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He expressed appreciation to the government, particularly the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia, for successfully maintaining BBM price stability amid increasingly complex global pressures due to the Iran conflict with the United States and Israel.
According to him, in a geopolitical situation full of uncertainty that directly impacts the surge in global energy prices, the decision to hold BBM prices, especially subsidised BBM, from increasing is a strategic step worthy of appreciation.
As a member of the House of Representatives Commission VI, which oversees trade, trading areas and business competition supervision, and state-owned enterprises, Sarmuji assesses that global energy price stability is very important so that the burden on the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), particularly from energy subsidies and compensation, does not become heavier.
He hopes that the ongoing geopolitical conflicts can end soon so that pressure on world oil prices can ease.
“May the conflict end soon so that world oil prices stabilise again and do not continue to burden the APBN,” he emphasised.
BBM price stability, he added, has a very significant domino effect on the national economy, particularly in keeping inflation under control and ensuring logistics costs do not surge sharply.
Thus, the government’s step not only impacts the energy sector but also maintains overall economic stability.
He also encouraged the government to continue strengthening energy risk mitigation strategies, including optimising national energy reserves, diversifying energy sources, and improving BBM distribution efficiency to ensure it reaches the right targets.
In addition, transparency in managing energy subsidies and compensation must be continuously maintained so that the policies taken remain accountable and sustainable.
“Going forward, challenges in the energy sector will remain very dynamic. Therefore, policy consistency and the government’s response speed are key,” he said.
He also affirmed that his side will continue to provide support as well as constructive oversight so that national energy policies remain in the interests of the people.
Through an official statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, Prasetyo said the decision was taken after the government coordinated with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT Pertamina, in line with instructions from President Prabowo Subianto.
“The President always prioritises the interests of the people and society in making decisions. That is why Pertamina states that it will not yet adjust prices for either subsidised or non-subsidised BBM,” said Prasetyo.