Annual Sales Price Trend of RON 90 and 92 in Indonesia for a Decade

The 2023 *Handbook of Energy & Economic Statistics of Indonesia* report from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) compiles trends in the selling prices of gasoline (BBM) with octane ratings of RON 90 and RON 92 in Indonesia.

The report shows that, based on the annual average price, gasoline with higher octane ratings, such as RON 92 (equivalent to Pertamax), was sold at significantly higher prices.

State-owned company PT Pertamina sold RON 92 gasoline at Rp1.67 million per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) in 2013. This was considerably higher than RON 90 (equivalent to Pertalite), which was sold at Rp954,000 in the same year.

Both gasoline grades experienced price increases in subsequent years, although with fluctuations. RON 90 remained stagnant at Rp1.11 million per BOE from 2017 to 2021, but reached Rp1.71 million per BOE in the latest 2023 data.

Meanwhile, RON 92 reached a high of Rp2.38 million per BOE in 2022, but decreased to Rp2.29 million per BOE in the latest 2023 data.

It should be noted that these selling prices are based on data from officially authorized sales outlets.

(Read also: [Reading the Comparison of BBM Class Consumption for Indonesian Transportation](https://databoks.katadata.co.id/energi/statistik/66d067da7b5dd/membaca-perbandingan-konsumsi-kelas-bbm-untuk-transportasi-indonesia))

Alleged Corruption Case Involving RON 90 and RON 92 Gasoline

The Attorney General's Office has revealed an alleged corruption case involving the management of crude oil and refinery products within Pertamina Subholding and its contractors (KKKS) during the 2018-2023 period. In this case, the President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Riva Siahaan (RS), is suspected of providing false information during the gasoline procurement process.

Harli Siregar, Head of the Attorney General's Office Public Relations Center, explained that the suspect, RS, made payments for RON 92 gasoline (equivalent to Pertamax), while the actual purchase was RON 90 (Pertalite) or a lower grade.

"Then, blending was carried out at the storage or depot to create RON 92, and this is not permitted," said Harli in an official statement on Tuesday (February 25th).

Furthermore, Abdul Qohar, Director of Investigation at the Attorney General's Office for Special Criminal Acts (Jampidsus), explained that according to regulations, domestic crude oil fulfillment must prioritize domestic supply before considering imports.

However, in practice, Riva Siahaan, Sani Dinar Saifuddin (SDS), and Agus Purwono (AP) allegedly intentionally reduced refinery production, resulting in incomplete absorption of domestic oil production.

"This manipulation led to the fulfillment of oil through imports. When refinery production was intentionally reduced, production by KKKS was also rejected on the grounds that the specifications were not suitable and did not meet the economic value," said Qohar.

In its clarification, PT Pertamina (Persero) denied reports that Pertamax gasoline was adulterated. Its sales have always complied with the RON 92 standard.

"Pertamax meets all the fuel quality parameters set by the Directorate General of Oil and Gas," said Pertamina in a written statement received by *Katadata.co.id* on Wednesday (February 26th, 2025).

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) continues to monitor the quality of gasoline by periodically testing samples from various gas stations (SPBU).

Furthermore, there is a difference between adulteration and blending. Adulteration refers to mixing that does not comply with regulations, while blending is a common practice in fuel production.

(Read *Katadata*: [Pertamina Oil Corruption Modus Operandi: Suspect Bought Pertalite, Blended it into Pertamax](https://katadata.co.id/berita/energi/67bd6997be9a9/modus-korupsi-minyak-pertamina-tersangka-beli-pertalite-dioplos-jadi-pertamax))