Subsidised Fuel Prices Not Increased, Fadli Zon: Prabowo's Support for the People
Indonesia’s Minister of Culture and Deputy General Chairman of the Gerindra Party, Fadli Zon, explained the reasons why President Prabowo Subianto has not raised the prices of subsidised fuel oil (BBM) despite the energy crisis resulting from the war in West Asia. He emphasised that Prabowo is siding with the people.
Fadli conveyed this at the Ministry of Culture office in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (8/4/2026). He initially stated that the Prabowo-Gibran government continues to adapt to the uncertain global situation.
“We are now facing various challenges that are becoming increasingly significant, in my opinion. Especially related to food, energy, and policies that will certainly be influenced by global situations and conditions,” said Fadli Zon to reporters.
Fadli said one of the steps taken by Prabowo is to maintain subsidised BBM prices. According to him, this step was taken by Prabowo because he does not want to burden the people.
“The government’s step, for example, to currently maintain subsidised BBM prices, I think is a very appropriate step. Because this will control inflation, also control the rise in other prices as a result, which will certainly burden the people. And this, in my opinion, is the support from President Prabowo for the people,” he stated.
Fadli said Prabowo prioritises a people’s economy. He said fuel prices would rise if the government adopted capitalism.
“Well, in Indonesia, the government’s commitment to maintaining subsidised BBM prices is support for the people that, in my opinion, must be underlined. So if there are those who think that the price should be raised, their school of thought must be capitalist. That’s it. So that’s the capitalist school of thought. Ours is the school of people’s economy,” he explained.
“I have known Mr Prabowo for dozens of years. His way of thinking is the thinking of the people’s economy school in accordance with Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution,” he added.
As is known, Prabowo has not raised BBM prices, especially the subsidised ones, amid the energy crisis occurring as a result of the war in the Middle East. Prabowo’s decision was also reinforced by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who emphasised readiness to withstand the rise in global oil prices.
Finance Minister Purbaya stated this when confirmed by the Chairman of DPR RI Commission XI, Mukhamad Misbakhun, who asked whether, if oil prices break USD 80-100 per barrel, the country is ready to hold BBM prices. Purbaya assured that it is safe.
“We are ready not to raise them until the end of the year for subsidised BBM, assuming an average oil price of USD 100 per barrel until the end of the year has been calculated,” said Purbaya in a working meeting with DPR RI Commission XI on Monday (6/4).
“So (BBM) that is subsidised is safe until the end of the year. The public outside doesn’t need to fuss, doesn’t need to worry, we have already calculated it,” he added.