Pati Fishermen's Protest Over Fuel Prices, Regent and DPRD Meet Demonstrators

Thousands of fishermen in Pati Regency, Central Java, held a massive demonstration in front of the regent’s office to urge special pricing policies for non-subsidised diesel fuel on Monday (4/5). Acting Regent of Pati, Risma Ardhi Chandra, and DPRD Chairman Ali Badrudin met with the protesting crowd, engaging in dialogue and pledging to champion the fishermen’s demands. Citing detikJateng, the thousands of fishermen protested the increase in the price of non-subsidised diesel fuel, which is strangling their operations and making it difficult for them to go to sea. The crowd gathered at the protest site from 09:00 WIB. They arrived in a convoy up to the Pati Regent’s Office. Meanwhile, Pati Town Square was closed off, and the number of security personnel guarding the rally exceeded a thousand. “We cannot work without diesel,” said one orator while speaking from atop a truck in front of the Pati Regent’s Office. Another orator also appealed for help to President Prabowo to hear the cries of the fishermen. He stated that 80 percent of fishermen in Pati cannot go to sea due to the high fuel prices. They demanded special fuel pricing for fishermen. “We are completely paralysed and unable to move with this significant fuel price increase; lower it according to the capture fisheries’ capacity,” he explained. “The fuel price is four times higher; how can we support food security when operational costs are higher than the revenue? Set a special price because if the government does not act soon, we fishermen will carry out actions bringing fishermen to the central government,” he continued. Central Java Fishermen’s Association representative, Riswanto, said the fishermen’s business conditions are far from good. This is due to the fuel price hike that is choking the fishermen. Therefore, he requested a special policy for non-subsidised fuel prices for fishermen, at least Rp10,000. “We are threatened with losing our profession as fishermen. Therefore, we together ask the central government for our aspirations through Pati to convey the non-subsidised fuel price of Rp10,000,” he stated. Protest coordinator, Eko Budiyono, said that fishermen have an important role in supporting the government’s food security programme. However, the development of industrial fuel has caused fishing vessels to be unable to go to sea because of the high prices. “Therefore, we support the government’s plan to immediately set special fuel prices for fishermen or fisheries over 30 GT,” said Eko during his speech in front of the crowd in front of the Pati Regent’s Office. Response from the regent to DPRD Acting Regent of Pati, Risma Ardhi Chandra, who came out to meet the protesting crowd, admitted to having met with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and conveying aspirations for a fair non-subsidised price for fishermen. “Yesterday, 27 April 2026, we met with KKP so that fishermen in Pati get a fair non-subsidised price so that friends can go to sea,” said Chandra in front of the demonstrating fishermen. “With the current price, we calculate that fishermen cannot go to sea. We are very aware because we used to work in fisheries,” he continued. Chandra will also champion the crowd’s demands to the central government. “If this aspiration does not reach the centre, we will champion all of you; for example, if it has not been responded to by the central government, we will join all of you to get the fuel price as expected,” he added. The same sentiment was expressed by Pati DPRD Chairman, Ali Badrudin. He also provided support and agreed with the fishermen’s demands to lower the burdensome fuel prices for fishermen. “We in the DPRD will champion and accompany the fishermen to Jakarta, because fishermen have proven to be food security supporters and compliant in paying taxes,” he explained.