Indonesia mulls vehicle-based curb on subsidized fuel

Business Regulations Under the latest plan disclosed by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, the government would restrict purchases by those classified in deciles 9 and 10 under the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN) system. This affects the top 20 percent of households. No panic yet: A fuel price board is displayed at a gas station in East Jakarta, showing sharp increases in nonsubsidized fuel prices—Pertamax Turbo (RON 98) now costs Rp 19,400 (US$1.13) per liter, up from Rp 13,100, and Pertamina Dex to Rp 23,900 per liter, up from Rp 14,500. Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto suggested using vehicle types to determine eligibility for Pertalite, the subsidized RON 90 gasoline, since vehicle ownership can indicate socioeconomic decile. The government is still finalizing the mechanism and has not specified which vehicle types would face restrictions. The plan aims to improve fuel subsidy distribution and reduce fiscal burdens.