Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif Signals Pertamax Et Al Price To Rise Next Month

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif. (Maria Trisnawati / VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif gave a signal that there was an increase in the price of non-subsidized fuel oil (BBM) such as Pertamax in March 2023 in response to the increase in world oil prices.

Whereas previously in early February 2024 Pertamina decided to hold back the price of non-subsidized fuel, aka there was no price change from January 2024.

Arifin said that currently the world oil price is in the range of 82 US dollars per barrel. This figure has increased by 5 to 6 US dollars compared to 2023.

"Currently, world oil prices are 82 US dollars per barrel. Up 6 US dollars from last year. Production costs will also definitely increase," Arifin told the media when met at the General Oil and Gas Directorate Building, Friday, February 16.

However, Arifin ensured that subsidized fuel prices such as Pertalite would not change because they received subsidies from the government.

Meanwhile, non-subsidized fuel will still depend on the resilience of the fuel provider's business entities, whether to increase the selling price or hold prices.

"Non subsidy will depend on the endurance of the business entity. That's so that business entities that explain it will become a competition (with other business entities). The quality is equal," concluded Arifin.

Previously, the Director General of Oil and Gas at Tutuka Ariadji said that the current fluctuations in world oil prices could increase the price of non-subsidized RI fuel next month.

According to Tutuka, with the current conflict in the Middle East, world oil prices continue to fluctuate in prices, allowing for an increase in non-subsidized fuel prices.

"The overall trend goes up, even though it goes up and down and down, the trend goes up," said Tutuka when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Monday, February 12.

Tutuka added that the distribution problems and logistics of crude oil faced in the East are the main factors for business entities to raise oil prices in March 2024.

"This depends on the problem in the Middle East, so that makes the logistics system disrupted," continued Tutuka.