Viral Claim That Pertalite Costs More Than Pertamax: Pertamina's Explanation

Pertamina has spoken out regarding a circulating video claiming the true price of Pertalite is more expensive than the selling price of Pertamax. In the video, the unsubsidised price of Pertalite is shown as Rp18,040 per litre. The video uploaded to social media shows a purchase of Pertalite on 11 June 2026 at a price of Rp10,000 per litre. However, the receipt lists the original price as Rp18,040 per litre, meaning the government provides a subsidy of Rp8,040 per litre. PT Pertamina Patra Niaga provided an explanation to ensure the public receives complete information and avoids misunderstanding. Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Roberth MV Dumatubun, explained that the fuel subsidy policy is the authority of the government and is not determined by Pertamina. In this case, Pertalite is a Special Assignment Fuel Type (JBKP) that receives subsidies from the government to maintain price affordability for the public. “We act as the operator that implements and complies with government policies regarding the distribution of subsidised fuel. The retail price of Pertalite paid by the public today is a price set by the government, taking into account various social and economic aspects,” said Roberth in his press statement, quoted on Tuesday (16/6/2026). The fuel subsidy programme has the strategic objective of maintaining national stability, protecting public purchasing power, and supporting economic activity. This policy is primarily aimed at helping the lower-middle economic community to meet their mobility and daily activity needs at an affordable cost. “Regarding the economic price information listed on the receipt, that figure represents the economic value of the fuel when calculated based on market price components and energy supply costs. However, the public still purchases Pertalite at the price set by the government due to the subsidy support,” he stated. Pertamina Patra Niaga also explained that Pertamax is a non-subsidised fuel whose selling price follows market dynamics. However, in practice, Pertamina continues to coordinate with the government to maintain national energy price stability. In previous periods, the price of Pertamax was even held back from rising to protect public purchasing power and support the national economic condition. “The adjustment to the Pertamax price made on 10 June 2026 also considered various factors, including economic conditions, public purchasing power, government fiscal sustainability, and business continuity. Similar adjustments were also made by other fuel providers. Even so, the current selling price has not fully followed the economic price based on international market prices,” he clarified. If the price of Pertamax fully referred to the economic price based on market conditions and world oil prices, its selling price would be at a higher level than the unsubsidised price of Pertalite. This demonstrates that the current energy pricing policy still considers the balance between public purchasing power, national economic conditions, and energy supply sustainability. “We urge the public to always refer to official information from the government and Pertamina and not be easily influenced by information that is not accompanied by a complete explanation,” he concluded.