Prabowo: Subsidised Fuel Prices Will Not Rise to Protect 80% of Indonesians

President Prabowo Subianto has explained the reasoning behind his decision not to increase the prices of subsidised fuels, such as Pertalite, even as global crude oil prices are surging. He stated that the primary reason is that Indonesia’s oil and gas supplies are only slightly dependent on routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been impacted by the war between Iran and the United States (US) and Israel. “Because our oil and gas sources do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz too much. We can seek other alternatives, besides having strong domestic capabilities,” Prabowo said during the Working Meeting of the Government and Members of the Red and White Cabinet at the Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Therefore, he expressed confidence that there is no need to implement a fuel price hike policy, even when presented with data from his economic ministers. Moreover, subsidised fuel, he said, is essential for the mobility of 80% of Indonesians. “I thank my economic ministers; they are reliable. They reported, ‘Sir, rest assured, we will maintain subsidised fuel for the small people and the poor; we will protect 80% of our people,’” the Head of State emphasised. As for the other 20% of the population, whom he described as the wealthy, they should rightfully use non-subsidised fuel types, the prices of which will follow global market rates. “It’s time for the strong people, the rich people—if they want to use expensive petrol, they must pay the market price. You’ve already got money, why ask for subsidies again? The ones we protect are the poor people,” Prabowo revealed.