Pertamina Confirms Pertamax Fuel Price Held Steady, No Increase Since 1 April

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has confirmed that the price of non-subsidised Pertamax fuel has not increased since 1 April 2026. This statement comes amid widespread public discussions regarding economic fuel prices at petrol stations.

Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Roberth M V Dumatubun, stated that the decision not to raise Pertamax prices resulted from coordination with the government.

“Pertamax is a non-subsidised fuel type because its price follows market rates. However, the government coordinated with Pertamina to avoid any price adjustment as of 1 April 2026, thus holding the Pertamax price steady without an increase,” Roberth told CNBC Indonesia on Saturday (9/5/2026).

He explained that, unlike Pertalite, which falls under subsidised fuel or Special Assignment Fuel Type (JBKP), Pertamax’s price fundamentally tracks global oil prices and the rupiah exchange rate.

Nevertheless, the government continues to play a role in maintaining national energy price stability to avoid excessive burdens on the public.

“The key point is that the current Pertamax price also involves the government’s role, in addition to Pertamina’s,” he said.

Roberth added that if Pertamax fully followed market economic prices without government coordination, its selling price could potentially be higher than it is now.

Previously, a widely discussed post on the Threads platform showed details of Pertalite’s base price before receiving government subsidies.

The receipt listed Pertalite’s base price at Rp16,088 per litre. However, consumers only pay Rp10,000 per litre due to a government subsidy of Rp6,088 per litre of fuel purchased.

This finding immediately sparked public questions. This is because the base price of Pertalite, with RON 90, appeared higher than Pertamax with RON 92, currently sold at around Rp12,300 per litre in the Jabodetabek area.

The narrative in the circulating video then evolved into a debate on fuel pricing logic. Many netizens questioned the government’s rationale for subsidising Pertalite rather than Pertamax, which is considered higher quality.

The viral purchase receipt detailed Pertalite’s base price at Rp16,088 per litre, government subsidy of Rp6,088 per litre, and selling price to the public at Rp10,000 per litre.