Indonesia's Pertamina urges consumers to stick with Pertamax, warns against switching to subsidized Pertalite

State-owned oil company PT Pertamina Patra Niaga is appealing to the public to avoid switching to Pertalite, a subsidized fuel, amid a price hike for Pertamax. The company is campaigning for wise energy consumption to prevent a shift from non-subsidized to subsidized fuel.

Corporate Secretary Roberth Dumatubun stressed that fuel choice should not solely depend on price. He advised consumers to consider the octane rating (Research Octane Number or RON) and ensure it matches their vehicle's specifications. "Migration is not just for a cheaper reason, but more about the needs and quality of fuel that is right for the vehicle and not taking the allocation of fuel that is not intended for it accurately," Roberth told Tempo.

Pertamina recently raised the price of Pertamax (RON 92) from Rp 12,300 to Rp 16,250 per liter. This increase has fueled concerns that consumers might switch to Pertalite, which remains priced at Rp 10,000 per liter. Adding to this, the quota for Pertalite, a special assignment fuel (JBKP), has been reduced by 6.28% for 2026, set at 29,267,947 kiloliters, down from 31,230,017 kl in 2025.

Media Wahyu Askar, Director of Public Policy at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), warned that the Pertamax price increase could lead to significant consequences. He noted that the price gap between Pertamax and Pertalite might encourage Pertamax users to switch, potentially increasing demand for subsidized fuel and burdening the government's subsidy budget. "There are two choices, consumers continue to buy Pertamax at a higher price or switch to Pertalite. As a result, the Pertalite quota will increase and cause the subsidy for fuel to swell as well," he stated.

Media also criticized the assumption that Pertamax price hikes only affect high-income groups, pointing out that many Pertamax users are middle-class individuals, including online motorcycle taxi drivers, teachers, and workers who opt for higher-quality fuel for their vehicles. He suggested that limiting Pertalite purchases via the MyPertamina QR Code would only be effective if implemented without leaks, as practices of selling Pertalite outside official stations are still observed.