Pertamina Had No Choice But to Raise Pertamax Prices, Says Expert
Oil and gas practitioner Hadi Ismoyo believes that PT Pertamina (Persero) has little room to maintain Pertamax prices amidst the surge in global crude oil prices and the depreciation of the Rupiah. According to him, increasing cost pressures make adjustments to non-subsidised fuel prices difficult to avoid.
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga announced on Tuesday (9/6/2026) evening WIB a price adjustment for Pertamax (RON 92) from Rp12,300 per litre to Rp16,250 per litre, and Pertamax Green 95 from Rp12,900 per litre to Rp17,000 per litre, effective from 10 June 2026. The prices for subsidised Pertalite and Biosolar remain unchanged at Rp10,000 per litre and Rp6,800 per litre, respectively.
“Therefore, Pertamina’s decision was made because there was no other choice. Furthermore, with the enactment of Presidential Regulation 26/2026, Pertamina and other BLUs are tasked with maintaining energy supplies using all necessary manoeuvres,” Hadi told Republika.co.id on Wednesday (10/6/2026).
He explained that fuel prices have a direct correlation with international crude oil price movements. Geopolitical conflicts, which have triggered global oil price hikes recently, have also increased the burden of domestic energy procurement.
According to Hadi, Pertamina is facing pressure from two sides simultaneously. On one hand, crude oil prices have risen sharply, while on the other, the weakening Rupiah has made energy import costs increasingly expensive.
“Fuel prices correlate directly with the rise in international crude. Since the first day of the war, prices have fluctuated around 30 to 50 per cent. Pertamina is exposed on two fronts: the rise in crude and the rise in the US Dollar as the Rupiah continues to weaken,” he said.
Hadi also highlighted the burden Pertamina has been bearing to keep Pertamax prices below economic levels. With Pertamax consumption reaching approximately 12 million kilolitres per year, the price difference borne by the company is estimated to reach tens of trillions of Rupiah.
“For Pertamax fuel, Pertamina has been subsidising an average of around IDR 4,500 per litre. Pertamax consumption is about 12 million KL per year. This means Pertamina must absorb IDR 54 trillion per year in its profit and loss statement,” he stated.
He added that there is no certainty yet as to whether this price difference will be reimbursed by the government through the State Budget (APBN). This situation forces Pertamina to maintain the company’s financial balance to ensure energy supplies remain guaranteed.
Hadi noted that maintaining cash flow is vital because Pertamina must ensure the availability of crude oil, fuel, and LPG to support national energy security. Amid rising cost pressures, the company’s ability to maintain supply must not be disrupted.
“Up to this point, there has been no clear direction from the Government regarding the APBN allocation on whether this price spread will be reimbursed or not. Meanwhile, Pertamina needs cash flow to maintain the supply of crude, fuel, and LPG for the sake of national energy security,” said the figure, who is a member of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Petroleum Engineering Institute (IATMI).
Hadi admitted that the increase in Pertamax prices could potentially drive some consumers to switch to Pertalite. Therefore, supervision of subsidised fuel distribution needs to be tightened to ensure it remains targeted.
“Regarding the migration of consumers from Pertamax to Pertalite, it could happen. This is why cooperation with authorities is necessary for law enforcement to ensure subsidies are targeted correctly. Once again, Pertamax is not a subsidised fuel,” he said.
He urged authorities and stakeholders to strengthen the supervision of subsidised fuel governance. Decisive action is required against vehicles that are not entitled to use Pertalite so that the state’s subsidy burden does not increase further.
“It is true. Tightening and supervision of subsidised fuel governance is very much needed, so there must be firm action against violations by cars that should not be queuing in the Pertalite lane,” said Hadi.
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga stated that the price adjustments for Pertamax and Pertamax Green were conducted after periodic evaluations according to the formula set by the government and in coordination with regulators. The company ensured that fuel supplies remain secure and services to the public continue across the entire Pertamina gas station network.
As for the subsidised Pertalite and Biosolar, there were no changes. They remain fixed at Rp10,000 per litre and Rp6,800 per litre, respectively.