Bahlil Emphasizes There Is No Option to Increase Subsidized Fuel Prices

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that until now the government has no plans to increase the price of subsidized fuel.

Bahlil said this was in line with President Prabowo Subianto's direction that fuel prices remain affordable for the public.

"Until now, we have not had an option to limit subsidies. This means that there has been no increase in subsidies. It is still the same," said Bahlil after attending a meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Friday, March 27.

Bahlil added that this decision was made by considering the purchasing power of the community.

The chairman of the Golkar Party said the government had thought of other steps if the conflict in the middle of the timut continued to flare up.

He said the step to be taken is to buy oil from countries that do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Please tell my friends to repeat that our crude imports from the Middle East are 20 percent and now we have found new sources of crude other than the Middle East," he said.

Bahlil also ensured that he would continue to monitor the development of the war between Iran vs. the US-Israel.

Moreover, until now there is no sign that it will end.

"That's why we will follow this dynamic. Let alone that this dynamic is very fast, it can be per week, it can be per month. What is important for us is how to ensure that all fuel stocks can be clear," he explained.

Furthermore. he added, the government actually drafted steps so that the use of fuel is not too significant.

One of them is imposing Work From Home (WFH) to reduce the use of fuel.

"All of that is being formulated again. But more on how we use fuel with wisdom. We must be wise in using fuel," said Bahlil.