Indonesia Prepares Stimulus as Pertamax Price Jumps 32%
Jakarta. Indonesia is preparing a stimulus package to cushion the economic impact of a sharp increase in non-subsidized fuel prices, after the price of Pertamax gasoline jumped more than 32% effective June 10.
Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the government was still finalizing the stimulus measures and would first report the plan to President Prabowo Subianto before making any public announcement.
“The stimulus is being prepared. Once a decision has been made, we will announce it. We have to report it to the President first,” Airlangga said at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The government moved to adjust prices for several non-subsidized fuels after state-owned energy company Pertamina, through its fuel distribution unit Pertamina Patra Niaga, officially raised prices starting June 10.
The largest increase was recorded for Pertamax, Indonesia’s widely used RON 92 gasoline, which rose 32.1% from Rp 12,300 ($0.75) to Rp 16,250 per liter. Pertamax Green 95 climbed 31.8% from Rp 12,900 to Rp 17,000 per liter.
Prices for other non-subsidized fuel products, including Pertamax Turbo, Dexlite, and Pertamina Dex, remained unchanged.
The steep increase comes as the government faces mounting pressure to balance energy pricing reforms with inflation risks and household purchasing power. Indonesia has long relied on fuel subsidies to contain living costs, but rising global oil prices and fiscal pressures have complicated efforts to maintain stable domestic prices.
Airlangga said the government was still assessing the inflationary impact of the fuel price adjustment, particularly on transportation costs and consumer prices.
“We are monitoring transportation and price developments first,” he said.
Mukhamad Misbakhun, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission XI overseeing finance and banking, said the government was discussing various forms of support for sectors and households affected by the increase.
According to Misbakhun, policymakers are identifying what type of assistance would be most effective, especially for middle-income consumers who may switch from Pertamax to subsidized fuels such as Pertalite due to the widening price gap.
“Consumers who use Pertamax are often close to the Pertalite segment. We want to ensure what kind of stimulus they actually need,” Misbakhun said.
He acknowledged that fuel price increases generally carry inflationary risks, although the government was still calculating the full impact of the latest adjustment.
“Pertamax is widely consumed by the public. Industrial fuel usually creates the heaviest pressure, but this is fuel used directly by consumers,” he said.
Misbakhun also warned of a potential shift in consumption from non-subsidized fuels to subsidized products following the price hike.
He added that the government had previously delayed adjusting Pertamax prices even after raising prices for higher-grade fuels such as Pertamax Plus and Pertamax Turbo. As a result, the effects of the latest increase would need close monitoring.
“We will see what the impact looks like. Previously, the government delayed adjusting Pertamax prices when Pertamax Plus and Pertamax Turbo had already been increased. Now Pertamax is finally being adjusted,” Misbakhun said.
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