NEXT Indonesia deems adjustment of non-subsidised fuel prices reasonable
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The research institute NEXT Indonesia Center has stated that the adjustment of non-subsidised fuel (BBM) prices by private enterprises and PT Pertamina (Persero) is a reasonable policy.
“The public already understands that non-subsidised BBM prices are sold according to market mechanisms. For businesses, if they do not raise selling prices despite increased input costs, they could incur losses,” said Director of NEXT Indonesia Center Herry Gunawan in Jakarta on Sunday.
He stated that several factors, including global oil prices and the exchange rate of the currency against the US dollar, influence changes in non-subsidised BBM selling prices.
In fact, the factors affecting BBM selling prices are very complex, from upstream to downstream.
On Saturday (2/5/2026), private fuel stations again raised fuel (BBM) prices, with the highest increase for diesel types.
Vivo and BP AKR, for example, raised the price of Primus Diesel Plus and BP Ultimate Diesel from Rp25,560/litre to Rp30,890/litre.
Meanwhile, Pertamina as of 2 May is still holding to previous prices, which were adjusted on 18 April 2026.
Regarding this, Herry opined that Pertamina should adjust non-subsidised BBM prices, considering the high global oil prices and the persistently low rupiah exchange rate, especially since Pertamina as a state-owned enterprise cannot sell at a loss.
“Of course, price adjustments must be carried out carefully, with competitive prices so as not to burden the public. If not, it is feared that it could affect purchasing power and ultimately pressure the national economy,” he said in his statement.
According to him, the adjustment of non-subsidised BBM selling prices, which is always carried out at the beginning of each month, is also in accordance with the legal framework in this case Ministerial Decree of ESDM No. 245.K/MG.01/MEM.M/2022 on Amendments to the Ministerial Decree of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 62.K/12/MEM/2020 on the Basic Price Formula in Calculating Retail Selling Prices for General Fuel Types of Petrol and Solar Oil Distributed Through Public Fuel Filling Stations and/or Fishermen’s Fuel Filling Stations.
“In terms of regulations, the calculation of non-subsidised BBM prices is left to the enterprises. They are free to determine the prices,” he said.
In agreement, public policy analyst from Trisakti University Trubus Rahadiansyah opined that Pertamina should adjust non-subsidised BBM prices, just like other private enterprises.
The increase in non-subsidised BBM prices, according to him, must be carried out considering global oil prices and the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar, especially since the legal basis for price adjustments is already clear.
“In the 2026 State Budget, one barrel is priced at 70 US dollars. Now the price is already above 110 US dollars per barrel. So, it is no longer possible to hold on under the current conditions,” he said.
Nevertheless, Trubus reminded that if Pertamina also makes price adjustments like other private enterprises, it still needs to conduct public communication to the public to keep them calm.