Prabowo: The Wealthy Must Buy Fuel at Market Prices!

Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the government will safeguard subsidised fuel (BBM) prices, as these subsidies are intended for those who cannot afford them. Meanwhile, the wealthy, he stated, must purchase fuel at market prices. “There is a period that we must overcome together, but I thank my team; my economic ministers are reliable. They reported, ‘Sir, rest assured, for subsidised fuel, we will maintain it for the small people and the poor.’ We will maintain it for 80% of our people,” Prabowo stated 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). “But in time, the strong people, the rich people, if they want to use expensive petrol, they must pay the market price. ‘You’ve already got money, and you still want subsidies?’ What we protect is the poor people,” Prabowo explained. On this occasion, Prabowo noted that although the world is currently facing an energy supply crisis, he believes Indonesia’s economy remains strong enough to address the issue. “Brothers and sisters, a few days ago, through meetings to address the global situation full of crises that have made energy supply a problem, after studying it, we have a sufficiently strong economy,” he said. “Later, I will ask several ministers to give a brief presentation so that we understand our position from all ministries and institutions, and after that presentation on our condition, some steps have already been announced to control fuel consumption,” he added. “For the short term, which I consider critical for the next year, these 12 months ahead, after 12 months we will become very strong,” he continued. “Later, we will explain the steps, but the main point is that we are ready; we are strong to face this year after we have studied it. Why? Because our oil and gas sources do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz too much,” he stated. “I thank you, and this is only a certain period; this is also good, truly. We must not become a nation that is too relaxed; let us correct ourselves. Our nation has been given too much by the Almighty. So we become like this: ‘It’s fine, Sir Bahlil says it’s safe, so relax.’ Safe does not mean we relax; we work, we stay vigilant,” he remarked. “This crisis, for me, is an opportunity. Crisis, difficulty, challenge, obstacle, hindrance is an opportunity; it makes us have to work better, work more efficiently, must not be wasteful, there must be no leaks, there must be no corruption,” he asserted firmly.