Upper Middle Class Urged Not to Switch to Subsidised Fuel to Prevent State Budget Strain
JAKARTA - A member of the House of Representatives’ Commission VI from the Golkar faction, Ahmad Labib, supports the appeal from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, urging the upper middle-class group not to switch to using subsidised fuel oil (BBM).
Bahlil’s appeal arises amid high price increases for non-subsidised BBM such as Pertamax Turbo, Dexlite, and Pertamina Dex.
According to Labib, compliance from affluent segments of society in not switching to subsidised BBM is crucial to maintaining the accuracy of energy allocation targets.
“Such a step is important to ensure the precision of subsidy targeting so that it is truly enjoyed by those who need it, while preventing potential consumption spikes that could burden the state budget,” said Labib in his statement on Thursday (23/4/2026).
This achievement, he said, is tangible proof of the government’s success in maintaining national energy stability, supported by the dominance of domestic energy sources such as coal at 48 percent, gas at 22 percent, along with contributions from renewable energy, plus a relatively low import dependency rate.
According to Labib, this success is inseparable from Bahlil’s hard work in ensuring the availability of energy supply remains secure amid global pressures.
“The government’s strategic steps in maintaining energy stocks, strengthening the supply chain, and managing import dynamics form an important foundation in strengthening national energy resilience,” he stated.
Labib supports the government’s policy to maintain the stability of subsidised BBM prices in 2026, as an effort to protect people’s purchasing power and contain inflation.
Labib emphasised that synergy between the government, the House of Representatives, and all elements of society is key to maintaining the sustainability of national energy policy.
“With targeted policies and collective support, energy stability is expected to sustain the momentum of national economic growth while strengthening Indonesia’s resilience in facing global crises,” Labib added.
For information, Pertamax Turbo is now priced at Rp 19,400 per litre, up Rp 6,300 from the previous Rp 13,100 per litre.
A higher increase occurred for Dexlite, now reaching Rp 23,600 per litre, or surging Rp 9,400 from the previous price of Rp 14,200 per litre.
On the other hand, the price of Pertamax remains at Rp 12,300 per litre, and Pertamax Green 95 is still sold at Rp 12,900 per litre.