Indonesia Palace Denies April 2026 Fuel Price Hike

Jakartaweekly.com – As the calendar turns to April 1, 2026, the Indonesian government has moved decisively to settle public unrest over a rumored spike in fuel prices. Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi issued a firm clarification on Tuesday, stating that after high-level coordination with PT Pertamina (Persero), there will be no price adjustments for either subsidized or non-subsidized fuels.

The announcement comes at a critical moment for the global economy. International oil markets are currently reeling from a dramatic escalation in US-Iran tensions, which has seen Brent crude surge toward $115 per barrel following military strikes and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. While these global pressures have forced many nations to hike domestic prices, the Indonesian government is taking a stand to shield its citizens from the fallout.

Government Guarantee: Stability Over Speculation

In a passionate briefing, Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto has directed his cabinet to prioritize the “pockets of the people” above all else.

“Pertamina has stated that they will not be performing any price adjustments. Prices remain as they are,” Prasetyo declared. “We hope that with this statement, the community receives accurate information. There is no need to panic or feel restless because we guarantee the availability of fuel. We guarantee it.”

This statement effectively kills a viral “leak” that had been circulating on social media, which suggested that non-subsidized fuels like Pertamax and Dexlite would see a 10% increase at the stroke of midnight.

The Shadow of Global Conflict

The timing of these rumors was particularly sensitive due to the volatile situation in the Middle East. With the United States intensifying military readiness and Iran warning of prolonged blockades in strategic energy routes, global oil benchmarks have experienced their largest monthly increase in decades.

In Washington, debates are raging over the domestic impact of the conflict, with U.S. gasoline prices rising by over a dollar per gallon in a single month. Despite these external “supply shocks,” the Indonesian government is leveraging its strategic reserves and fiscal buffers to prevent a similar cost-of-living crisis at home.

Pertamina and ESDM: “Stop the Hoaxes”

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), through Director General Laode Sulaeman, has urged the public to stop speculating on unverified documents. Similarly, Muhammad Baron, Vice President of Corporate Communication at Pertamina, labeled the viral price projections as “untrue and unaccountable.”