Price of Pertamax Turbo Rises, Consumer Forum Warns of Surge in Demand for Subsidised Fuel
JAKARTA – The Chairman of the Indonesian Empowered Consumers Forum (FKBI), Tulus Abadi, considers the increase in the price of non-subsidised fuel oil (BBM) to be a rational policy.
According to him, the price of non-subsidised BBM follows fluctuations in global crude oil prices, which are influenced by the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
“However, with the significant increase for Pertamax Turbo, it could drive changes in user behaviour,” said Tulus when confirmed by Kompas.com via short message on Monday (20/4/2026).
The former Chairman of the Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) stated that this phenomenon needs to be mitigated by Pertamina’s fuel stations. He suggested increasing the supply of Pertamax to anticipate a surge in demand.
Fuel stations, he said, need to ensure the availability of BBM to avoid shortages amid the potential shift of users.
“For now, the most important thing is that supplies are available, considering the unrest in the Middle East has not subsided,” said Tulus.
In addition, the public is also urged to start saving, for example by using mass public transportation or working from home (WFH).
Tulus assessed that the current increase in non-subsidised BBM prices has not yet had a significant impact on the macro economy because the number of users is relatively small. A major impact, according to him, will only be felt if the price of subsidised BBM also rises.
He added that an increase in the price of subsidised BBM remains possible, even though the government has stated it will maintain price stability until the end of 2026.
“However, this policy could change if the government’s fiscal capacity further weakens,” he said.
Quoted from Pertamina’s official website on Saturday (18/4/2026), the price of Pertamax Turbo rose by Rp 6,300 from the previous Rp 13,100 to Rp 19,400 per litre.
Meanwhile, the price of Dexlite rose by Rp 9,400 from Rp 14,200 to Rp 23,600 per litre, and the price of Pertamina Dex increased by Rp 9,400 from Rp 14,500 to Rp 23,900 per litre.
Nevertheless, the price of subsidised BBM remains stable. Pertalite is sold at Rp 10,000 per litre and subsidised Biosolar at Rp 6,800 per litre across all regions.