JAKARTA - Energy economics observer from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Fahmy Radhi assessed that the increase in the price of non-subsidized fuel oil (BBM) such as Pertamax is realistic to maintain fiscal resilience.
"Actually, the government can't hold on any longer to maintain the price of Pertamax so that it doesn't go up, because the fiscal burden is getting heavier," Fahmy said in his statement, quoted by Antara, Thursday, June 11.
Fahmy assessed that the policy has the potential to help the government reduce pressure on the state budget.
According to him, the government has previously held off on raising the price of Pertamax since March 2026 to mitigate the economic impact on the community.
However, as the burden of compensation to be paid to Pertamina increases, the government's fiscal space becomes increasingly limited so that price adjustments are ultimately difficult to avoid.
"I think RON 92 or Pertamax is actually a non-subsidized fuel. Its price is usually determined based on the market mechanism, in accordance with the economic price," said Fahmy.
However, its effectiveness will depend heavily on the government's ability to control consumer movement from Pertamax to Pertalite, which is still sold at a price of Rp. 10 thousand per liter.
He reminded that the widening price disparity could encourage some Pertamax users to switch to subsidized fuel. Therefore, the government needs to strengthen regulations and supervision so that energy subsidies remain targeted and fiscal savings goals can be achieved.
In line with Fahmy, Manado State University (UNIMA) economist Robert Winerungan explained that the increase in Pertamax prices was part of the government's efforts to maintain the health of the state budget in the midst of an unstable global condition.
"The government is trying to reduce the burden on the state budget because Pertamax is actually a fuel that should not be subject to government intervention. What does get government intervention is Pertalite. So the government reduces the burden on the state budget by raising the price of RON 92," said Robert.
In addition to reducing fiscal pressure, Robert assessed that price adjustments are also important to maintain the balance of domestic fuel prices with neighboring countries. According to him, the too large price difference has the potential to open up opportunities for abuse and illegal trading practices that are detrimental to the country.
On the other hand, Robert estimates that the social and economic impact of the Pertamax increase will not be as great as if the government raised the price of Pertalite or Solar.
This is because Pertamax users generally come from the middle class and newer vehicle owners.
"I think the impact is not too big. Most people in the lower middle class are already using Pertalite. Therefore, I believe the impact is not too significant. Pertamax or RON 92 is generally used by newer vehicles," he said.
Pertamina Patra Niaga announced an increase in the price of Pertamax and Pertamax Green fuel oil products starting June 10, 2026.
According to the company's press release received in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 9, starting June 10, 2026, the price of non-subsidized Pertamax fuel (RON 92) will increase from Rp12,300 to Rp16,250 per liter and Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) will increase from Rp12,900 to Rp17,000 per liter.
Pertamina also conveyed that the price of Pertamina fuel products other than Pertamax and Pertamax Green did not increase.
The price of non-subsidized fuel products Pertamax Turbo (RON 98) remains at Rp20,750 per liter, Dexlite (CN 51) remains at Rp23,000 per liter, and Pertamina Dex (CN 53) remains at Rp24,800 per liter.
Subsidized fuel type Pertalite is still marketed at a price of Rp10 thousand per liter and Biosolar is still Rp6,800 per liter.
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