Purbaya Suggests Pertamina Build A New Refinery To Reduce Imports

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive. (Photo: ANTARA)

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive suggested PT Pertamina (Persero) to build a new oil refinery to reduce dependence on imports, which in turn will reduce the energy subsidy budget.

"So, later if you (DPR) meet Danantara again, ask Pertamina to build a new refinery," said Purbaya as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 30.

He admitted that he had recommended Pertamina to build a new refinery in 2018, while still at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

At that time, Pertamina promised to build seven new refineries within five years. However, Purbaya said the form of the commitment was still not visible.

In fact, he continued, imports for fuel oil (BBM) took up a large budget, which resulted in the value of energy subsidies continuing to increase from year to year.

On that basis, he invited Commission XI of the DPR RI to work together to oversee and control Pertamina's performance, especially in the context of refinery development.

Purbaya will also take part in overseeing the ongoing process of projects proposed by Pertamina. With this, it is hoped that there will be reciprocity from Pertamina in strengthening national energy independence.

"So, I'm not just a payee. I'll go in and see if they run or not the proposed projects," he said.

For the record, the realization of subsidy distribution and compensation as of August 31, 2025 was recorded at IDR 218 trillion or 43.7 percent of the 2025 State Budget (APBN) ceiling.

For certain fuel and 3 kilograms of fuel-type energy subsidies (JBT) and LPG, the realization as of August 31, 2025 was recorded at IDR 57.8 trillion or 53.5 percent of the targeted APBN of IDR 108 trillion.

Nilai itu terdiri dari Rp57 triliun subsidi tahun berjalan dan Rp800 miliar kurang bayar tahun sebelumnya.

Sementara kompensasi BBM telah dibayarkan sebesar Rp31,1 triliun yang merupakan pembayaran kekurangan kompensasi BBM tahun 2024 sesuai hasil audit Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK).

This value consists of Rp57 trillion in subsidies for the current year and Rp800 billion for less than the previous year.

Meanwhile, fuel compensation has been paid in the amount of Rp. 31.1 trillion, which is payment for fuel compensation in 2024 according to the results of an audit by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).