Vice President Gibran Responds to JK's Proposal on Fuel Price Increase: Not Aligned with President's Directive

Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia (14th) Gibran Rakabuming Raka has responded to the proposal from the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, who is pushing for an increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM). The government states that it appreciates every input provided by various parties. “The government appreciates and gives serious attention to the various inputs that exist, including from Mr Jusuf Kalla regarding the proposal to raise BBM prices,” said Gibran on Thursday (9/4/2026). However, Gibran emphasised that the proposal does not align with the directive from President Prabowo Subianto, who has instructed his apparatus to keep subsidised BBM prices stable and affordable for low-income people. “However, apologies, but that does not align with Mr President Prabowo’s directive, which has clearly and firmly ordered his ranks to maintain the stability of subsidised BBM prices so that they remain affordable for low-income people,” he said. He explained that the government is committed to carrying out efficiency and budget refocusing to protect the lower strata of society from the chain effects of BBM price increases, such as rises in staple goods prices and transportation costs. “The government is determined to carry out efficiency and budget refocusing to protect the lower strata of society so that they are not burdened by the chain effects of BBM price increases such as rises in staple goods prices, transportation costs, etc.,” he said. In addition, Gibran continued, the government is also continuously pushing for the acceleration of the energy transition towards the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy. This step is part of a long-term strategy to reduce dependence on BBM. Furthermore, the acceleration of the transition towards the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy is also being continuously promoted. Today, the President visited Magelang to inaugurate the Electric Vehicle Assembly Factory, as one form of the government’s seriousness. On the same day, Gibran said that Prabowo conducted a working visit to Magelang to inaugurate the electric vehicle assembly factory. According to Gibran, the inauguration serves as one proof of the government’s seriousness in developing the national electric vehicle ecosystem.