Will the Government Limit Pertalite Consumption? Here is Bahlil's Response

The government is currently reviewing the implementation of policies to ensure that energy subsidies are distributed precisely to the intended targets. One of the proposed plans involves limiting the consumption of subsidised Fuel (BBM), specifically the Pertalite type.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, explained that vehicles such as the Toyota Avanza, which have a fuel tank capacity of approximately 50 litres, can travel distances of 200 km to 300 km. Therefore, he noted that a daily purchase of 50 litres of Pertalite for private cars is sufficient.

However, Bahlil acknowledged that many citizens have begun transitioning from non-subsidised fuels, such as Pertamax (RON 92), to subsidised fuels. While he does not object to the practice itself, he urged that Pertalite consumption should be prioritised for lower-income communities.

“I urge our fellow citizens who are capable, those with nice cars, to use their conscience. We should not take the subsidy rights intended for our brothers and sisters who are entitled to them,” Bahlil told reporters following the InTechSea 2026 event at the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta on Monday (14/09/2026).

As is known, the government is currently refining data on citizens entitled to state-subsidised goods based on deciles. Bahlil stated that subsidies provided by the state through fuel and LPG must be targeted accurately. The refinement of this data is being driven by the government to ensure that the planned tightening of subsidised fuel and LPG usage is truly effective.

“It is still being exercised because we want the subsidy to be targeted correctly. 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 during a meeting at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta.

Data on the Surge in Pertalite Consumption

The Head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), Wahyudi Anas, previously revealed that the distribution of Special Assignment Fuel (JBKP), or Pertalite, experienced an increasing trend as of 30 June 2026. The distribution of Pertalite reached 13.96 million kilolitres (kl), equivalent to 47.68% of the total state budget (APBN) quota, which is set at 29.27 million kl.

“For the JBKP type Pertalite RON 90, the realised distribution reached 13.96 million kl, or 47.68% of the quota set in the APBN of 29.27 million kl,” he stated during a Hearing with Commission XII of the DPR RI, Jakarta, on Monday (20/07/2026).

This increase in consumption was triggered by price adjustments in other general fuel types, such as Pertamax and the Dex Series. This condition is believed to have increased the burden of subsidised fuel distribution in recent times.

To anticipate the thinning quota, BPH Migas is currently strengthening supervisory cooperation with provincial governments through 25 cooperation agreements (PKS). The agency has also blocked hundreds of thousands of digital identities suspected of misuse to maintain stock availability until the end of the year.

“We are also continuously optimising so that the distribution of subsidised fuel is targeted correctly; we have blocked almost 307,107 QR Codes. This is a continuous process and is increasing due to the production of illegal QR Codes,” he concluded.

Similarly, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga noted that the consumption portion of subsidised Pertalite has dominated up to 80% of the total national gasoline consumption. This surge is suspected to be the impact of consumer migration from non-subsidised fuel to subsidised Pertalite.

Director of Retail Marketing at Pertamina Patra Niaga, Eko Ricky Susanto, explained that the shift in consumption to subsidised fuel has triggered a surge in Pertalite demand across various regions, prompting the company to make adjustments to maintain stock availability at gas stations.

“In terms of composition, during the January-May period, the condition for Pertalite JBKP products was around 75%; currently, it has shifted to 80%. Almost 5% of the gasoline composition has shifted to PSO (Public Service Obligation) fuel,” he said.

Pertamina noted that public demand for the Pertamax Series has decreased compared to the beginning of the year, which is consistent with the increase in Pertalite usage.

“The impact is that currently, JBU (General Fuel) products, specifically the Pertamax series, have seen a decrease of almost 18% compared to the previous period,” he added.