Pertamina Reveals Reasons for Pertamax Price Hike

State-owned PT Pertamina has adjusted the prices of several non-subsidised fuel oils (BBM), with the Pertamax Series experiencing a price increase per litre. This situation had been predicted for several months, particularly after tensions in the Middle East disrupted the global oil supply chain. The conditions drove up international crude oil prices and increased pressure on domestic fuel prices. On Tuesday night (9/6/2026), Pertamina Patra Niaga announced the latest policy. Pertamina subsequently confirmed the background to the decision to raise the prices of several non-subsidised fuels this June, especially given its ability to hold previous prices despite global tensions. Vice President Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina Muhammad Baron conveyed an official explanation via a statement from Pertamina Patra Niaga. “We can inform you that the explanation for the above has been provided by Pertamina Patra Niaga as follows,” Baron said on Wednesday (10/6/2026). Through an official statement delivered by Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga Roberth MV Dumatubun, the price adjustment for Pertamax and Pertamax Green was made after coordination with the government as the regulator. The policy was taken in accordance with a periodic evaluation mechanism that considers the development of world oil prices and economic market prices. Pertamina Patra Niaga explained that the adjustment of non-subsidised fuel prices is part of the implementation of energy governance to maintain a balance between business sustainability, service quality, and the certainty of energy supply for the public. “The price adjustment for Pertamax and Pertamax Green was carried out after an evaluation process according to the price formula set by the government. The selling price was decided while continuing to coordinate with the government as the regulator, and is part of efforts to maintain the sustainability of energy provision and the distribution of quality fuel for the public so that it continues to run optimally,” Roberth said. In the latest policy, the price of Pertamax (RON 92) rose from Rp 12,300 per litre to Rp 16,250 per litre. Pertamax Green 95 rose from Rp 12,900 per litre to Rp 17,000 per litre. Meanwhile, Pertamax Turbo, Dexlite, and Pertamina Dex experienced no price changes. Pertamina also confirmed that subsidised fuel prices would be maintained. Pertalite remains sold at Rp 10,000 per litre and Biosolar at Rp 6,800 per litre. Executive Director of CORE Indonesia Mohammad Faisal said the Pertamax price hike had long been anticipated. According to him, in principle, non-subsidised fuel prices follow international price movements, making adjustments difficult to avoid when crude oil prices continue to rise. “Basically, non-subsidised fuel is floating. So it follows international prices. And when the ICP price has increased, if it is already far above the economic price, it should have been raised,” Faisal said. He assessed that Pertamina had been trying to hold back price increases due to its status as a state-owned enterprise that also carries out a public service function. As long as the risk of increased costs could still be borne, price adjustments were not made. Faisal believes that the delay in the price adjustment ultimately made the current price jump quite significant. This condition has the potential to create pressure for consumers and increase the risk of Pertamax users switching to cheaper fuels. “In my opinion, this Pertamax price increase has been very, very much predicted, it was just a matter of time. But indeed, perhaps because it was delayed, the jump in the price increase became quite large,” he said. According to him, consumer migration to Pertalite is not entirely easy because the distribution of subsidised fuel has been regulated through usage restrictions and supervision. Therefore, the migration space for consumption from Pertamax to Pertalite is not as large as many parties imagine.