Jakarta. The government is considering restrictions on subsidized Pertalite gasoline for wealthier motorists as it seeks to prevent state energy subsidies from benefiting people who can afford to pay market prices, officials said on Tuesday.

Pertalite currently sells for Rp 10,000 (about $0.60) per liter, with its price remaining unchanged despite rising global oil prices and growing pressure on Indonesia's subsidy bill amid the country's dependence on imported crude and fuel.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said motorcycle users would not be affected by the proposed restrictions.

Instead, the government is considering measures aimed at higher-income consumers who own private cars.

"Why should we subsidize wealthy people through products such as Pertalite?" Bahlil said after meeting Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa in Jakarta.

Teams from the Energy Ministry and Finance Ministry are still working on a mechanism to determine who should be eligible for subsidized fuel, he said.

"We want these hundreds of trillions of rupiah in subsidies to truly go to our people who are entitled to receive them," Bahlil said.

Purbaya said restrictions on Pertalite subsidies for higher-income consumers would be introduced gradually, although the government has yet to determine when the policy would take effect or how eligibility would be enforced.

"We can gradually reduce [Pertalite supplies]. We are still studying the system," Purbaya said.

The proposed policy comes as Indonesia faces growing pressure from its longstanding reliance on energy subsidies while remaining dependent on imported oil to meet domestic demand.

In addition to Pertalite and other fuel subsidies, the government provides support for biodiesel, household LPG and electricity for eligible consumers.

Indonesia has allocated approximately Rp 210 trillion ($11.8 billion) for energy subsidies this year, including around Rp 25 trillion for fuel.

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