Only A Few People Migrating From Pertamax To Pertalite Due To Price Disparity

Illustration of fuel (Photo: doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Erika Retnowati has opened her voice regarding the wide price disparity between the Special Assignment Fuel Type (JBKP) Pertalite and the non-subsidized Pertamax fuel which is priced at IDR 14,000 per liter.

According to her, the price disparity is a consequence of the movement in world oil prices which is approaching 90 US dollars, so the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has regulated the retail selling price of non-subsidized general fuel types with an upper limit, namely the Indonesia Crude Price.

"Meanwhile, the ICP also depends on world oil prices, so automatically when the price rises, the selling price of fuel also rises, and dispartas is high, but the price will continue to fluctuate every month following that formula," explained Erika in the Energy COrner, quoted on Wednesday, October 10.

Even though there is a price disparity, Erika said that many people already understand that fuel prices will continue to fluctuate every month.

Regarding the price disparity, Erika admitted that there would indeed be a migration of users from Pertamax to Pertalite, but only a little.

"Indeed, the increase in non-subsidized fuel prices does not necessarily mean that people will migrate to Pertalite because there are still consumers who choose to use better fuel with good performance in vehicle engines," she said.

Moreover, there are several vehicle manufacturers that require the use of RON 92 fuel in motor vehicles to keep the engine working well.

"Otherwise the guarantee given is not valid. There are some people who continue to use Pertamax," she said.

Meanwhile, regarding preventive measures from BPH Migas, Erika said that she had proposed a revision of Presidential Decree 191 of 2014 but it was still in process so it had not been published.

While waiting for the issuance of Presidential Decree 191, BPH Migas has also issued BPH Regulation Number 2 of 2023 which regulates the issuance of recommendation letters for the purchase of certain types of fuel (JBT) Diesel Oil and Types of Assignment Fuel Oil (JBKP) Pertalite, especially for certain consumers such as fishermen, farmers and MSMEs.

"From a monitoring perspective, we also use an IT system and collaborate with Law Enforcement Officers (APH) and the Regional Government to continue to monitor fuel distribution. That is what we are doing," concluded Erika.