Fact Check: Will Pertamina Phase Out Pertalite in 2027?

Fact Check: Will Pertamina Phase Out Pertalite in 2027?

Fact Check – A claim circulating on multiple platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X suggests Pertamina plans to discontinue Pertalite fuel by 2027. The narrative includes screenshots from news reports alleging this decision, which gained traction following a price increase for Pertamax (RON 92) and Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) in early June 2026.

Fact Check Process

Tempo investigated the claim by cross-referencing credible sources. The findings reveal the story is based on outdated information from 2023, not a recent policy change. Pertamina had proposed transitioning to a subsidized fuel variant but had not implemented it yet.

2023 Policy Proposal

The screenshot originates from a CNN Indonesia broadcast about Pertamina’s 2023 initiatives. At the time, President Director Nicke Widyawati suggested replacing Pertalite with Pertamax Green 92, a mix of Pertalite (RON 90) and 7% ethanol (E7), to raise the octane rating to RON 91 as per Ministry of Environment and Forestry standards.

“We will continue to monitor (the price of Pertamax Green 92) so as to not burden the public. That’s the key,” Luhut stated on September 6, 2023.

Current Status

As of June 24, 2026, Pertamina’s Corporate Secretary Roberth MV Dumatubun confirmed the distribution of subsidized fuel remains unchanged. He emphasized that Pertalite and Biosolar are still in compliance with government regulations and the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas).

Government Review and Subsidy Shift

During the 2023 policy discussion, then-Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan noted the government was evaluating the proposal. The plan aimed to redirect Pertalite subsidies toward a cleaner fuel alternative, not eliminate them entirely.

Conclusion

Tempo’s analysis concluded that the narrative attributing Pertamina’s 2027 fuel phase-out to CNN Indonesia’s 2023 report is misleading. No operational updates have been made since the policy was proposed, and subsidies for Pertalite remain active.

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