Ahok Agrees That Pertamax Prices Must Increase, But Don't Get To IDR 16.000: So It's Not Too Burdening For The Community

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina (Persero) President Commissioner Basuki Tjahaja Purnama alias Ahok agreed that the price of Pertamax fuel oil (BBM) would increase. However, the price did not reach the current economic price which is at the level of IDR 16.000.

"It doesn't cost up to IDR 16.000. So that people don't feel too heavy," he said when contacted by VOI, Thursday, March 31.

Ahok also said that the price of Pertamax or RON92 fuel sold by Pertamina would be much cheaper than private gas stations. Because Pertamina must be present as a provider of fuel for the community.

"This means that the possibility of private gas stations may rise higher. Pertamina must be the provider even though it is still losing, the important thing is not to lose badly. Because from upstream there is also an additional advantage with the increase in the ICP (Indonesian Crude Price) price, although it cannot cover sales losses," he said.

The ideal price of Pertamax is IDR 13.000

Contacted separately, Energy Observer Mamit Setiawan reminded the government in this case PT Pertamina not to increase the price of Pertamax fuel oil (BBM), not touching the psychological level of consumers. According to Mamit, the ideal price of this type of fuel is sold at a price level of IDR 13.000.

"In my opinion, don't let the price touch the psychological level of Pertamax users. So in the sense that if it hits the level of IDR 15.000, it is already quite high. So I propose ideally at the level of IDR 12.500 to IDR 13.000," he said.

According to Mamit, if Pertamax increases the price following the economic price which is at the level of IDR 16.000, it will actually make Pertamax consumers switch to subsidized fuel oil, in this case, Pertalite. Meanwhile, as a subsidized fuel product, there is a quota set by the government.

"Petalite has now become a JBKP (Type of Special Assignment Fuel) where a quota has been given. Later it will be troublesome again if it is over quota. So I think ideally we play at IDR 12.000 to IDR 13.000 does not reach the economic level of IDR 15.000 IDR 16.000," he said.

Mamit said that although there was still a price difference of IDR 2.000 that had to be borne by Pertamina, at least the increase in the price of Pertamax to the level of IDR 13.000 had reduced Pertamina's burden.

"It is necessary to increase the price of Pertamax. Pertamina has no profit, they lose, there is still a difference of IDR 2.000, but at least they have reduced the burden of their losses," he explained.