Parliament Urges Public Not to Panic After Government Assures No Fuel Price Hike

Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, has urged the public not to panic following the government’s decision to ensure no increase in fuel oil (BBM) prices on Wednesday (1/4). Dasco said that queues had formed at petrol stations in various areas due to information about a fuel price hike tomorrow. “Therefore, we urge that with the government’s announcement that there is no plan to adjust prices for subsidised or non-subsidised BBM, meaning that starting tomorrow the same prices will still apply, the public does not need to panic, does not need to queue, and especially not to hoard BBM,” Dasco said at the parliamentary complex on Tuesday (31/3). He appreciated the government’s step not to raise fuel prices after communicating and hearing input from various parties. Dasco mentioned that the communication with the government also showed no plans to restrict purchases of Pertalite and Pertamax. “The result of communication with the government, the commitment from President Prabowo will continue to monitor and maintain the public’s needs for BBM,” he stated. Previously, the government assured that fuel oil (BBM) prices for Pertalite and Pertamax types would not rise on Wednesday (1/4). This was done amid pressure from rising global oil prices due to US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Minister Secretary of State (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi assured that there would be no fuel price increase tomorrow. “That is why Pertamina stated that Pertamina will not adjust prices for either subsidised BBM or non-subsidised BBM,” Pras said in his statement on Tuesday (31/3).