Tightening Pertalite Fuel Usage Using Decile Data: The Latest Update from Bahlil
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has provided an update regarding plans to tighten the distribution of subsidised fuel (BBM) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Currently, the government is refining population data to identify those entitled to state subsidies based on wealth deciles.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that subsidies provided by the state through fuel and LPG must be targeted accurately. The refinement of this data is being prioritised by the government to ensure that the plan to restrict subsidised fuel and LPG usage is implemented effectively.
“It is still being exercised because we want the subsidy to be precisely targeted. One way to achieve this is by ensuring our data is valid. We are continuously checking the deciles to ensure that our good intentions are not undermined by invalid data during implementation,” he said when met at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta.
Plans for Tightening Pertalite Usage
As previously reported, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahende have begun developing a scheme to limit subsidised fuel, specifically Pertalite. This is being done to ensure that energy subsidies are truly received by those entitled to them.
During a meeting at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, the two discussed the possibility of limiting access to subsidised Pertalite for high-income groups. One group of particular concern is the population falling into deciles 9 and 10.
In economic terms, decile 9 represents the upper-middle class, while decile 10 represents the upper class. However, these restrictions are still in the assessment stage.
“We discussed the possibility of implementing Pertalite subsidy restrictions for the upper levels, perhaps deciles 9 and 10, so that in a few months, we can reduce it gradually,” said Purbaya when met at the Ministry of Finance.
According to Purbaya, the government is currently studying the system that will be used to determine who is entitled to Pertalite subsidies. On the other hand, the authorities have reviewed the system owned by PT Pertamina (Persero) to support the implementation of targeted subsidies.
“We are studying the system; I have also seen that Pertamina’s system is quite good and ready for implementation,” he said.
Although the government is preparing a restriction system, Purbaya emphasised that no decision has been made regarding the timing of the policy’s implementation.
Plans for Tightening LPG
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) also plans to tighten the distribution of 3kg LPG by limiting the groups of people who can purchase subsidised LPG based on welfare deciles.
The Director General of Oil and Gas at ESDM, Laode Sulaeman, stated that this policy is necessary to ensure the distribution of 3kg LPG is more targeted. The government is currently discussing the application of welfare data or deciles to determine which groups are entitled to LPG subsidies.
“That is why we are currently intensifying conversion efforts. The classes of recipients will be regulated to ensure they are more targeted. The deciles will be regulated for LPG, not just for fuel,” said Laode at the DPR RI building.
He added that his department will discuss the use of this data with the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and PT Pertamina (Persero). This discussion is a follow-up to a recent meeting between the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Finance.
“This is one of the things we will discuss with BPS and Pertamina, as we implement the results of the meeting between the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Finance,” he concluded.