Prabowo Defends Rights of the Poor, Bans the Wealthy from Using Subsidised Fuel

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the government will continue to uphold energy subsidies for lower-class citizens and the poor. This policy serves as state support for 80% of Indonesians to avoid being burdened by rising global energy prices.

President Prabowo stated that upper-income society members are not permitted to consume state-subsidised fuel.

“For subsidised fuel, we will maintain it for the small people and the poor. We will maintain it for 80% of our people. But when the time comes, the strong people, the rich people, if they want to use expensive petrol, they must pay the market price,” he said during the Government Working Meeting at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

“You’re already rich and asking for subsidies again? No way. What we defend is the poor people,” he asserted.

Furthermore, Prabowo explained that global energy supply uncertainties are expected to persist for the next year. During this period, the government will tighten fuel consumption controls to ensure national energy resilience is maintained.

“Some measures to control fuel consumption for this short term, which I consider critical for the next year, the next 12 months. After 12 months, we will become very strong,” he said.

In addition, Prabowo issued instructions to ministers to improve efficiency and prevent subsidy budget leakages. He stressed that this potential energy crisis must become a momentum for Indonesia to shift to renewable energy sources managed independently from domestic resources.

“Crises, difficulties, challenges, obstacles, and hurdles are opportunities to make us work better, work more efficiently, not be wasteful, no leakages, no corruption,” he concluded.