TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa acknowledges the possibility that a segment of consumers will switch to purchasing subsidized-fuel Pertalite following the recent price hike for Pertamax. However, he remains confident that many motorists will stick with Pertamax despite non-subsidized fuel prices surging by roughly 30 percent.
"Of course, some consumers will switch. However, not everyone will do so. Why? Because those who buy Pertamax know that their cars are suitable for Pertamax," Purbaya remarked after a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Even so, Purbaya refrained from offering an estimate on the exact percentage of consumers expected to downgrade to subsidized fuel after the steep price hike for Pertamax. Furthermore, the state treasurer has not yet calculated the potential impact this migration could have on the state's overall fuel subsidy burden.
Word of the impending price hikes for the two non-subsidized fuels first surfaced on Tuesday night, June 9, 2026. Pertamina Patra Niaga, the trading arm of state energy giant Pertamina, subsequently formalized the price adjustments for Pertamax and Pertamax Green starting on June 10, 2026.
The retail price of non-subsidized Pertamax (RON 92) has spiked by roughly 32 percent, jumping from Rp12,300 to Rp16,250 per liter. Meanwhile, the price of non-subsidized Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) climbed 31 percent, rising from Rp12,900 to Rp17,000 per liter.
"The adjustment of the prices for Pertamax and Pertamax Green was made after an evaluation process in accordance with the price formula set by the government," said Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary Roberth MV Dumatubun, as reported by state news agency Antara.
The Chairperson of the Indonesian Transport Workers Union, Lily Pujiati, warned that the soaring cost of Pertamax threatens to erode the purchasing power of online motorcycle taxi or online ojek drivers. Under these tight financial conditions, switching to Pertalite is the most pragmatic alternative for drivers.
According to Lily, fuel expenses are borne entirely out of pocket by the online taxi drivers themselves, even as their daily take-home pay remains highly volatile. "On the other hand, there is a concern that Pertalite will become scarce due to high demand," she noted.
She expressed hope that the government will step in to slash fuel prices to safeguard the purchasing power of online ojek drivers. This intervention should also extend to other basic commodities, she added, as personal cost-cutting measures remain difficult if the cost of living continues to skyrocket.
Riri Rahayu contributed to this article
Read: Why Social Assistance Remains Crucial Amid Rising Pertamax Fuel Prices
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