Indonesian Workshops, Consumers Lament 'Crazy' Motor Oil Price Hikes

Motorcycle workshop owners and consumers in West Bandung, Indonesia, are expressing frustration over sharp increases in motor oil prices. Over the past month, prices have surged between 10% and 25%, a significant jump that is straining budgets.

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It's been a month, since the beginning of May if I'm not mistaken. The increase started from 10 percent to 25 percent.

Erwin, a workshop owner, explained that the primary drivers for the price hikes are the weakening Indonesian rupiah against the US dollar and the rising costs of oil-based raw materials and imported components. He noted that while synthetic and imported oils saw even higher increases, consumers, though complaining, ultimately purchase the oil due to its necessity for vehicle upkeep.

"It's been a month, since the beginning of May if I'm not mistaken. The increase started from 10 percent to 25 percent," Erwin said. "Consumers complain, asking why oil prices have gone up. But oil prices follow global oil prices. Even though they go up, they still have to be bought because they are needed."

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Consumers complain, asking why oil prices have gone up. But oil prices follow global oil prices. Even though they go up, they still have to be bought because they are needed.

Beyond motor oil, other spare parts like tires have also seen price increases, though these are considered more moderate, ranging from Rp5,000 to Rp10,000. Rezza Syaef, a consumer, shared his experience of paying Rp70,000 for oil that previously cost Rp55,000, adding to the financial pressure already felt from rising fuel prices.

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Usually I use oil that costs Rp55,000, but last week when I refilled at the workshop, the price had already gone up to Rp70,000, and other brands of oil were out of stock. It's stressful, fuel prices are up, and now oil prices are up too.