Jakarta. Indonesia’s decision to hold fuel prices steady has helped lift public support for President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa claimed on Friday.

Purbaya said the government’s decision to hold subsidized fuel prices steady came amid a surge in global energy costs following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Brent crude prices climbed above $100 per barrel as of March 2026, exceeding the state budget assumption of $70 per barrel, threatening Indonesia’s fiscal position by potentially pushing the deficit beyond 3% and weakening the rupiah past Rp 17,000 per dollar.

“Because fuel prices didn’t go up, the government’s popularity has risen sharply, especially the president’s. This adds an important component of stability to our economy,” Purbaya said Friday.

Based on the latest available survey conducted in January 2026, public satisfaction with President Prabowo Subianto’s performance was very high, reaching 79.9%, according to Indikator Politik.

According to Purbaya, maintaining stable fuel prices helps preserve purchasing power while anchoring public trust, giving the government more room to implement priority programs.

“The budget must function as both a shock absorber and an engine of growth. These roles must be balanced, and that balance cannot be achieved if we work in isolation,” he said.

Despite rising global oil prices, Purbaya said Indonesia has managed to keep its fiscal position secure through a series of policy measures, some of which have not been widely publicized.

“There are steps we have taken to safeguard fiscal stability, though not all of them have been fully communicated to the public,” he said.

He also compared Indonesia’s position with neighboring countries, many of which have already raised fuel prices significantly in response to global market pressures.

“In neighboring countries, fuel prices have increased sharply. Here, under current leadership, we’ve been able to maintain prices without endangering the state budget. This is something we should communicate more — that we are performing better than our peers,” Purbaya said.

The minister rejected concerns that Indonesia is heading toward an economic crisis, saying the government continues to closely monitor fiscal calculations behind the scenes.

“Outwardly things may look calm, but internally we are constantly calculating to avoid missteps. Claims that we are heading into a crisis in the next few months are simply not true,” he said.

To contain spending, the government has revived austerity measures first introduced in early 2025. These include restrictions on non-essential official travel and meetings, as well as broader cuts to operational expenditures. Officials have also floated the possibility of reducing ministers’ salaries.

Efficiency measures across ministries and agencies are expected to generate savings of around Rp 80 trillion.

Additional savings of Rp 40 trillion are projected from scaling back the free meals program from six days to five per week

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