Pertamax Price Rises, Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar Urges Public to Remain Calm

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar has urged the public to remain calm and trust the government’s approach to the increase in non-subsidised fuel prices for Pertamax and Pertamax Green, which took effect in the early hours of Wednesday. Muhaimin emphasised that the price adjustment cannot be separated from the turmoil in the global economy. “The global economy continues to be in turmoil. We must continue to close ranks, and face this together calmly. Trust that the government will take important steps,” Muhaimin said when met at the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises office in Jakarta. The Coordinating Minister added that the government is preparing a protection scheme for the public, especially middle-class groups directly affected by the price increase. Although he did not detail the form of the assistance, he confirmed that a “protection umbrella” would be prepared soon. Separately, Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary Roberth MV Dumatubun explained that the price adjustment was carried out based on a periodic evaluation considering global oil prices and market economic prices. This step was taken through close coordination with the government as the regulator to ensure the sustainability of national energy distribution. The significant increase in Pertamax and Pertamax Green prices is expected to be offset by government mitigation measures so that public purchasing power is maintained amidst global energy market uncertainty.