Subsidy Fuel Purchase Restrictions Apply Until May
The government is limiting purchases of subsidised fuel oil (BBM) products Pertalite and Solar to 50 litres per day starting from April until May 2026. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the regulation is based on a circular from the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas). “Referring to that, it will apply for two months,” he said during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Monday, 6 April 2026.
Previously, there was Decision of the Head of the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Number 024/KOM/BPH.DBBM/2026, issued on 30 March 2026. The implementation of restrictions on subsidised fuel purchases is regulated for private and public vehicles.
The two-month implementation coincides with eight policies on national work culture transformation. Key points include enforcing work from home for civil servants (ASN) every Friday, efficiency in official travel, and calls for one day of work from home per week for state-owned enterprises, regional owned enterprises, and private companies.
Although subsidised fuel is limited, the government has not yet determined plans for restrictions on non-subsidised fuel oil. “That is still under review, and once the review is complete, it will certainly be announced to the public,” Airlangga stated.
This restriction effort responds to the soaring crude oil prices in the global market, reaching above US$100 per barrel. The price increase is due to the war between the United States-Israel and Iran since 28 February 2026.
Although global oil prices have risen, the government is committed to not raising the prices of Pertalite and Bio Solar fuels until the end of 2026. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that the 2026 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) is estimated to have a deficit of 2.9 percent despite the increased fuel subsidy burden.
He predicted that oil prices will not remain at US$100 per barrel for long, considering the current US politics. “For example, if the prices go even higher, uncontrollably. As long as the supply (of oil) is there, we still have a buffer of Rp 490 trillion now in the form of surplus budget, which can still be used if necessary,” he stated on the same occasion.