Revealed: The Real Reason Pertamina Raised Pertamax Fuel Prices

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has disclosed the primary reason behind the policy to increase the price of non-subsidised Pertamax fuel (RON 92) to Rp 16,250 per litre starting today, Wednesday (10/6/2026). This move is solely aimed at maintaining the balance between price affordability for the public and ensuring the continued availability of fuel supplies in Indonesia. VP Commercial & Shipping Business Development of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Sigit Setiawan, explained that global market fuel prices are currently surging due to geopolitical tensions. The company had long sought to hold back the selling price of non-subsidised fuel, particularly Pertamax, even though its import acquisition cost had already exceeded the price sold at petrol stations. This marks the first Pertamax price increase since the spike in world oil prices following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war on 28 February 2026. While other non-subsidised fuel prices had already undergone increases since 18 April 2026, Pertamax had not yet seen a price adjustment. In fact, according to Sigit, the economic price for Pertamax (RON 92) now ranges between Rp 20,000 to Rp 21,000 per litre. This means that even though Pertamax has risen to Rp 16,250, it remains below its economic value. Regarding regulation, the pricing of non-subsidised domestic fuels follows market prices and does not receive fiscal assistance from the government. Pertamina stressed that this policy is crucial to guarantee the company’s ability to repurchase fuel raw materials on the international market to safeguard national stock resilience. The company assessed that if prices continued to be maintained below their economic value, it could trigger constraints directly impacting the public. Therefore, after coordinating with the government, Pertamina decided to implement a measured price adjustment. Nonetheless, the newly set price is still considered below international market prices and those in neighbouring countries such as Thailand. Pertamina affirmed its commitment to continuously monitor global energy market dynamics to ensure optimal consumer service without supply disruption. The new Pertamax price is set at Rp 16,250, while Pertamax Green rises to Rp 17,000.