Workshop Owners and Consumers Lament 'Crazy' Oil Price Hikes

Rising oil prices in the market over the past month have forced workshop owners in West Bandung Regency (KBB), West Java, to implement drastic price increases. The primary cause is linked to the weakening of the rupiah against the US dollar, compounded by rising prices of oil-based raw materials and imported components. “It’s been a month, since the beginning of May I think. The increase ranges from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, for prices in the range of Rp10,000 to Rp20,000,” said Erwin (31), a workshop owner from West Bandung, on Friday (12/6/2026). Price hikes for synthetic and imported oils are even higher. The sudden increase in oil prices has shocked arriving customers, but they are ultimately forced to buy as it is a primary necessity for vehicle maintenance. “Of course there are many complaints, asking why the oil price has gone up. But oil prices follow world oil prices. Even though it has increased, they end up buying it anyway because they need it. As for stock, it was briefly empty at the start of the increase, but now it is gradually returning to normal,” Erwin said. The price increases are not limited to oil products but also affect other spare parts, including tyres. However, the increase for spare parts other than oil is considered still reasonable, ranging from Rp5,000 to Rp10,000. “It’s still fairly normal, the increase for tyres averages Rp5,000. That amount is still reasonable, but in my opinion, motorbike spare parts remain essential no matter how expensive they get, because motorbikes need maintenance,” he said. Rezza Syaef (23) stated that the oil price hike is very burdensome. He previously used oil priced at Rp55,000, but during his last oil change, the price had risen to Rp70,000. “I usually use oil priced at Rp55,000, but last week when I went to the workshop, it turned out to be Rp70,000, and other oil brands were out of stock. It’s a headache, fuel prices have gone up, and now oil has gone up too,” Rizaldi said.