Purbaya assures that subsidised fuel will continue in line with President's instructions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that all strategic policies taken, including the continuation of subsidised fuel (BBM) prices until the end of 2026, result from coordination under the instructions of President Prabowo Subianto. The Minister clarified public perceptions regarding decision-making at the ministerial and institutional levels. He emphasised that the steps taken are not merely personal or sectoral initiatives, but mandates from the country’s highest leadership. “I emphasise here that it is not my work alone. It is the combined work of other ministries as well. More importantly, all of it was done after receiving directions from the President. I often forget to mention that. So I am just the President’s hand. But sometimes we don’t say it. So yesterday’s policies have all received directions; we are just implementing them. Sometimes when asked, we provide options,” said Purbaya when met in Jakarta on Tuesday. In the decision-making process, he continued, the President considers economic impacts on society in great detail. The government routinely conducts simulations of various crude oil price scenarios to ensure that the policies taken are on target. “So, for example, with the fuel yesterday, the President asked about the impacts? Okay, Sir, I’ll calculate first. In the next meeting, we make the calculations. At $80 (per barrel) how? At $90 like this, at $100 like this. Alright. Others might not need to know the details. But it depends on the President,” he added. Despite uncertain global conditions, the State Treasurer asked the public not to panic. He assured that the fiscal condition and state revenues are still in a strong position to support subsidy policies or fuel price controls. One of the buffers is the Budget Surplus Balance (SAL) of Rp420 trillion. “That shows that we still have layered defences. So friends don’t need to be afraid. Because I assure you the money is there. Some people might think I’m relaxed in appearance, laughing, but actually it’s calculated. We’ve simulated the prices. We haven’t calculated other revenue sources yet, increases in revenue from policies by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Bahlil,” he concluded.