Economic Expert: Save The Company, Pertamax Prices Need To Be Increased

Business economic expert Professor Hamid Paddu assessed that Pertamina needs to increase the price of non-subsidized fuel oil (BBM) types of Pertamax.

"The first mandate is corporations. In this case, Pertamina must also save its corporations for the state. If they are not raised, it could have a serious impact on BUMN finances," Hamid said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, August 8.

Since March 2024, the non-subsidized RON 92 fuel has not been adjusted.

Meanwhile, in early August, private gas stations again raised prices for similar fuel.

Hamid stated that Pertamina as a BUMN does not only carry out the mandate of the government but is also a corporation that has an obligation to make a profit.

"That's why, in conditions where oil prices fluctuate and the currency exchange rate is depressed like now, like it or not, Pertamina must adjust Pertamax prices so as not to lose money," he said.

The management of non-subsidized fuel such as Pertamax, he continued, became Pertamina's authority because Pertamax refers to the market.

Under these conditions, he added, if the company continues to hold the price of Pertamax, it will certainly have a direct impact on Pertamina.

Therefore, it must be raised according to the market mechanism.

Compared to the price of RON 92 other gas stations, Pertamax in DKI Jakarta, which is currently djiual at Rp12,950/liter, is indeed much lower.

Revvo 92 dari Vivo misalnya, sudah dibanderol Rp14.320/liter dan Super dari Shell Rp14.520 per liter.

In fact, compared to BP 92 (BP AKR) which was sold for Rp13,850/liter, Pertamax was also much cheaper.

Hamid stated that his belief that even if Pertamina raises Pertamax, of course the price price price is still competitive according to the results of the cost calculation.

"Pertamina cannot increase the price at will," he said.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent the migration of Pertamax users to Pertalite, he hopes that the oil and gas SOEs will continue to improve the targeting system.

"Now, if you want to fill in Pertalite, you can monitor it with digital tools. From there, every use of Pertalite on each car will be caught. However, the system must continue to be imported, fixed continuously because it is related to dynamic data information," he said.