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Govt still reviewing adjustments to non-subsidized fuel prices

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government is currently reviewing the possibility of adjusting the prices of non-subsidized fuel.Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated the findings of this review would be disclosed to the public once the process is complete.”It is still under review. Therefore, once the review process is finished, the results will certainly be communicated to the public,” Hartarto said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed that the prices of subsidized fuel would not increase through the end of 2026.He assured the public that there is no need for concern, as fiscal calculations have been conducted based on the assumption of an average global oil price of US$100 per barrel through the end of the year.Through various budget-efficient measures, the government expects to be able to maintain the fiscal deficit within the range of 2.9 percent.Deputy Minister Purbaya also affirmed that the state budget remains sufficient to support this policy.Furthermore, the government retains a fiscal buffer in the form of a Budget Surplus Balance (SAL) amounting to approximately Rp420 trillion, which can be utilized should any additional fiscal pressures arise.”If we find ourselves in a tight spot, those funds can still be utilized,” Hartarto said.”However, I feel we are still far from reaching that point, as—considering the political landscape in the United States—the likelihood of oil prices remaining above US$100 [per barrel] for a prolonged period is slim,” he noted.He therefore urged the public not to be concerned regarding the government's fiscal condition, emphasizing that the budgetary capacity remains adequate to absorb the various consequences of the policies being implemented.