MPR: Pertamax Price Influenced by Global Crude Oil

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno has stated that the increase in the price of Pertamax fuel is influenced by global crude oil price movements, as it does not fall into the category of fuels receiving government subsidies. “Because Pertamax is not part of JBT (Specific Fuel Types) or JBKP (Special Assignment Fuel Types), it certainly does not receive government subsidies, so its price will fluctuate according to global crude oil prices,” Eddy said in a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday. According to him, the current increase in non-subsidised fuel prices is an adjustment to crude oil prices, which have held steady in the range of 80–100 US dollars per barrel over the past few months. Prices could rise higher due to an imbalance between supply and demand. This condition is even projected to increase further, especially after Iran officially closed the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping activities. Eddy understands that the Pertamax price increase will affect people’s purchasing power and the operational burden on business actors. However, these impacts had already been felt when other non-subsidised fuels such as Pertamax Turbo, Pertamina Dex, and Dexlite experienced price increases earlier. “The business world hopes the government can provide support or incentives in other areas, both fiscal and non-fiscal, with the aim of maintaining business operations and performance,” he said. The member of House of Representatives Commission XII, which oversees energy and mineral resources, hopes there will be no mass migration of Pertamax consumers to subsidised Pertalite fuel. He assessed that the government has strictly regulated Pertalite purchasing procedures for certain groups or consumers. The price of Pertamax (RON 92), previously Rp12,300 per litre, has risen to Rp16,250 per litre, while Pertamax Green (RON 95) has changed from Rp12,900 to Rp17,000 per litre. Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Roberth MV Dumatubun, explained that the adjustment of non-subsidised fuel prices follows applicable regulations and is part of implementing energy governance aimed at maintaining a balance between business continuity, service quality, and certainty of energy supply for the public.