Bahlil Affirms Purchase Of Fuel Through Pertamina Is Not One Stop Import

Bahlil Lahadalia (photo: dock voi)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that the scheme for regulating imports of fuel oil (BBM) through Pertamina is not a 'one-door import'.

Bahlil said that the regulation for importing fuel is a middle ground for maintaining national trade stability by reducing deficit pressures due to oil and gas imports, while ensuring the availability of fuel supply in the country remains safe.

This policy refers to Article 14 paragraph (1) of Presidential Decree Number 61 of 2024 concerning Commodity Balance. The regulation gives the authority to the Minister or Head of Institutions as sector supervisors to determine commodity needs plans.

Bahlil said the business entity agreed to collaborate between the Private Gas Station Business Entity and Pertamina to import fuel in the form of base fuel or fuel with pure octane levels without an additive mixture.

"Friends, I want to explain that this import is not one door," Bahlil told the media crew at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Friday, September 19.

Bahlil emphasized that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has never closed fuel importation activities. This is reflected in the trend of non-subsidized fuel market share at private gas stations which actually continues to increase, which is up 11 percent in 2024 and reaches around 15 percent until July 2025.

The increase shows that imports continue to run along with the increasing demand and outlets of private gas stations. The regulation of imports of fuel is intended to control its portion so that it is in line with national trade conditions and maintain national strategic reserves.

"This import quota has been given 110 percent compared to 2024. For example, if AKR gets 1 million kiloliters of 2024, then in 2025 it is added 10 percent which means 1 million 100 kiloliters," explained Bahlil.

Bahlil said the government also emphasized that this rule is flexible. Changes in fuel import arrangements can be made when needed, taking into account the availability of domestic supplies, national consumption needs, smooth distribution, and state financial conditions.

In addition, the Government will continue to facilitate business to business (B2B) cooperation between PT Pertamina (Persero) and BU, which owns private gas stations, so that the need for non-subsidized fuel remains guaranteed.

For information, Pertamina Patra Niaga still has a remaining import quota of 34 percent or around 7.52 million kiloliters, which is sufficient to meet additional allocations for private gas stations until December 2025 of 571,748 kiloliters.