Pertamax Price Hike Unavoidable, CORE Says

CORE Indonesia Executive Director Mohammad Faisal assessed that the Pertamax price increase announced by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga had actually been predicted for a long time. According to him, the surge in the Indonesian Crude Price (ICP) in recent months made the adjustment of non-subsidised fuel prices only a matter of time. He explained that one of the main factors relates to the differing characteristics of Pertamina and private companies. Private companies generally respond to cost changes by considering commercial aspects, whereas Pertamina, as a state-owned enterprise (BUMN), also considers the social impact of every pricing policy. This condition means Pertamina does not always immediately adjust prices when global crude oil prices rise. The company still considers the impact on society and its ability to absorb the risk of declining profits. Faisal assessed that Pertamina was likely still trying to withstand the impact of the ICP increase as long as the risk of profit decline and business pressure could be managed. Price adjustments are only made when the burden the company must absorb becomes too large. According to him, in principle, non-subsidised fuel follows international price developments. When crude oil prices rise far above the economic price, a price adjustment ultimately becomes a difficult step to avoid. He added that Pertamax is now one of the fuel types with a growing share of consumption in Indonesia. Its share is estimated to have reached more than 30 percent of total national fuel consumption and is approaching 40 percent. The large number of users means every change in Pertamax prices has a broad impact on society. Faisal noted that delaying the price adjustment might contain pressure in the short term but risks causing a larger price spike when finally implemented. Previously, on Tuesday night (9/6/2026), PT Pertamina Patra Niaga announced a price adjustment for non-subsidised Pertamax and Pertamax Green fuels after conducting a periodic evaluation considering global oil price developments and economic market prices. The decision was coordinated with the government as the regulator. Starting 10 June 2026, the price of Pertamax (RON 92) rose from Rp 12,300 per litre to Rp 16,250 per litre, while Pertamax Green 95 rose from Rp 12,900 per litre to Rp 17,000 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of Pertalite remains at Rp 10,000 per litre and Biosolar remains at Rp 6,800 per litre, in accordance with subsidised fuel regulations.