The Minister of BUMN Warns the Price of Pertamax Could Rise Again

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir warned the public regarding the recent decline in the price of Pertamax fuel oil (BBM) to IDR 12,800 per liter. Because prices can change.

The reason, said Erick, is that the price of fuel oil in the country is heavily influenced by world oil prices.

So that the decline in the price of Pertamax is not a guarantee that the price will be fixed.

In fact, continued Erick, there is a possibility that the price of Pertamax could rise again if the price of world crude oil skyrocketed.

"Yesterday, the government, because the price of world oil has fallen, will reduce the fuel that is in line with market prices, such as Pertamax. But we also have to be vigilant because it is not impossible that the price of Pertamax could rise again, next week or next month", he told reporters, Monday, January 9.

Even so, Erick stressed, in terms of setting fuel prices, the government would make data as transparent as possible. If world oil prices fall, Pertamax will fall.

However, continued Erick, specifically for Pertalite fuel, is still subsidized for more than IDR 1,000. Likewise, with Solar, the government still provides a subsidy of IDR 6,500.

"Encouraged by the government, Pertamina from January to August 2022 will help assist IDR 10 trillion. That's what we do. This means that the government is present when the people need it", said Erick.