The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Emphasizes that Fuel Will Not Increase Even Though the Dollar is Strengthening

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) emphasized that although the US Dollar was strengthening against the Rupiah, the government had not planned to increase the price of subsidized fuel.

To hold down fuel prices, the government is encouraging an increase in domestic energy production amid pressure on the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung said that in addition to encouraging domestic production, the government is also preparing refinery capacity in the country as part of efforts to maintain energy supply in the midst of global dynamics and exchange rate fluctuations.

"So for the increase in fuel prices for subsidies, this has been conveyed, according to our calculations there is domestic production that we encourage to increase, domestic refineries are also ready," said Yuliot, quoted Saturday, May 30.

In addition to domestic production, the government also maintains domestic fuel security stocks. He ensures that national fuel stocks are still above the minimum operational reserve limit that has been set.

Yuliot said that the reserves for a number of types of fuels such as Pertalite and CN48 solar are currently far above the minimum threshold.

He also ensured that non-subsidized fuel stocks such as CN51, Pertamax, and Pertamax Turbo were also said to be in sufficient condition for national needs.

"As for the availability of fuel, we have an indicator of the minimum operational reserve availability. This is our minimum reserve, the reserve that is currently far above the minimum reserve," said Yuliot.