Pertamina's Steps To Lower Pertamax Fuel Prices Are Appropriate

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Reforminer Institute, Komaidi Notonegoro, assessed that the step of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN) to reduce non-subsidized fuel prices based on crude oil price movements in the world market was the right policy.

This shows that the process of determining the price of non-subsidized fuel is basically in the hands of business actors

Komaidi said Pertamina's decision to reduce the price of non-subsidized fuel was a positive education for the public that business actors do have the authority to determine fuel prices.

"This is also positive for public learning or education that when there is room to reduce (the price of fuel), the company quickly reduces it," he said.

The public is expected to better understand that at any time price adjustments can also occur again depending on the condition of world oil prices which are the main raw material for producing fuel.

"However, it must also be realized that the Central Team conflict has the potential to raise prices to a higher level, of course in the future there will be potential adjustments," said Komaidi.

Separately, Mulyanto, a member of Commission VII of the DPR, who is in charge of energy problems, revealed that non-subsidized fuel sold by Pertamina refers to market prices.

"Pertamina's non-subsidized oil price should go down," he said.

The price of WTI oil, for example, continues to fall until July 2023 has touched 67 US dollars per barrel.

Global geoploiltk development helped raise world oil prices and oil prices peaked at the end of September 2023 to 97 US dollars per barrel. Currently, oil prices are down again to 80 US dollars per barrel.

In the period 1 November 2023, Pertamina Patra Niaga again made price lower adjustments for the Pertamax Series and Dex Series.

All gasoline (gasoline) products have experienced price-down adjustments, since the last price adjustment was made on October 1, 2023.

For Pertamax (RON 92) it fell to IDR 13,400 per liter, from the previous IDR 14,000. Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) decreased to IDR 15,000 per liter, from the previous IDR 16,000 per liter.

Meanwhile, Pertamax Turbo (RON 98), fell to Rp15,500 per liter from the previous Rp16,600.

For gasoil (diesel) type products, namely Dexlite (CN 51), adjusted to Rp16,950 per liter from the previous Rp17,200. Pertamina Dex (CN 53) decreased to Rp17,750 per liter from the previous Rp17,900.

This new price applies to provinces with a motor vehicle fuel tax (PBBKB) of 5 percent, such as in the DKI Jakarta area.

Pertamina's Corporate Secretary, Irto Ginting, explained that the price of non-subsidized fuel is fluctuating, so Pertamina conducts periodic evaluations following market trends and mechanisms.

Pertamina made price adjustments following the trend of world oil prices and the average price of oil publications.

"Pertamina's non-subsidized fuel prices consider various aspects including crude oil, the publication of MOPS and exchange rates, so that Pertamina can still guarantee the provision and distribution of fuel to all corners of the country," said Irto.