Fuel Price Increase, Commission VI DPR: It Should Not Be Transferred to Basic Needs

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rivqy Abdul Halim, responded to the increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM) which took effect today. He assessed that this increase should not spill over into the prices of other basic necessities.

Rivqy assessed that although the decision was sudden for the public, in certain contexts the increase in fuel prices was indeed an unavoidable step.

"In the global situation and pressure on the energy sector, we understand that adjusting fuel prices can be an option that the government must ultimately take. However, the momentum and communication of this policy need to be considered so as not to cause public anxiety," said Rivqy, Saturday, April 18.

Rivqy assessed that the government must convey the real conditions of national fuel to the public. According to him, transparency related to availability, subsidy burden, to distribution challenges will help the public understand the reasons behind the policy.

"We ask the government to explain comprehensively how the actual condition of our fuel sector is currently. This is important so that the public not only accepts the policy, but also understands the urgency," he said.

In addition, Rivqy also highlighted the need for clear anticipatory steps, especially from the government and related energy SOEs, in maintaining the stability of energy supply and prices in the future. He assessed that the readiness of strategies, including the management of energy distribution and reserves, must be ensured to run optimally.

Furthermore, he reminded that this increase in fuel prices would not have a wide impact on the prices of people's basic needs. He also emphasized that the current price adjustment only occurs on types of fuel with high Research Octane Number (RON), so it should not directly trigger a spike in the prices of basic necessities.

"The government needs to ensure that this increase does not spill over into the prices of basic necessities. The stability of food prices and other important goods must be maintained, so that people's purchasing power is not eroded," he said.

Rivqy hopes that the government can continue to prioritize transparent public communication and policies that are in favor of protecting the community, especially in the current economic dynamics.

It is known that PT Pertamina (Persero) finally raised a number of non-subsidized fuel prices per Saturday, April 18. Based on information on fuel prices on the Mypertamina website, the price of Pertamax Turbo fuel with RON 98 jumped sharply from Rp. 13,100 per liter to Rp. 19,400 per liter.

The increase was also experienced by Dexlite from Rp14,200 per liter to Rp23,600 per liter. The same thing also happened to the price of Pertamina DEX which shot from Rp14,500 per liter to Rp23,900 per liter.

Meanwhile, the price of Pertamax with RON 92 is still Rp12,300 per liter. As for the price of Pertalite type fuel is still Rp10,000 per liter. Likewise with Pertamina Biosolar which is still pegged at Rp6,800 per liter.