On Subsidised Fuel Prices, Bahlil: The President Has a Heart to Consider the Little People

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, declined to reveal whether the price of subsidised fuel oil (BBM) will increase or not. He merely stated that President Prabowo Subianto possesses a conscience to consider the condition of the small people amid the turmoil in the Middle East. Bahlil also asked the public to wait for the main date regarding Prabowo’s decision on fuel prices. “The current price has reached 115 dollars. Domestically, it remains stable. Insha Allah, under the President’s guidance, for subsidised BBM, up to now, I think the President has a heart to consider the little people,” Bahlil said in a video from the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (30/3/2026). Bahlil conveyed that every day, Prabowo thinks about how to develop the country, as well as the needs and conditions of the people below. Furthermore, regarding predictions that non-subsidised BBM will rise by 10 percent on 1 April 2026, Bahlil referred to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation of 2022, which regulates the BBM pricing formula. For industrial BBM prices, without announcement, increases or decreases continue to occur based on market prices, said Bahlil. “And as long as they want to use a lot, as long as there is money to pay, go ahead. The state’s duty is to provide, they pay. There is no state obligation at all,” he said. Meanwhile, Bahlil emphasised that the government is focused on subsidised BBM prices. He assured that Prabowo will make a good decision. “As I said earlier, for the subsidy, wait for the main date, Insha Allah I assure you that the President in making policies always considers and prioritises the condition of the people. Insha Allah it will be good, so wait for the main date,” he added.