The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) plans to tighten the purchase regulations for 3-kilogram LPG cylinders starting next year. One of the measures includes requiring buyers to use their National Identification Number (NIK) listed on their Identity Card (KTP).

Acting Director General of Oil and Gas (Migas) at the ESDM Ministry, Tri Winarno, stated that this step aims to ensure that subsidies are distributed more accurately to the intended recipients.

“Yes, going forward, subsidies should be better structured. One way to organize them is through the use of NIK,” said Tri Winarno when met at the Parliament Building in Jakarta, Tuesday (August 26, 2025).

Tri noted that purchasing LPG with an ID card has already been implemented, but next year the monitoring will be more stringent. The ministry, together with relevant stakeholders, is currently collecting data to determine which segments of society are eligible to purchase subsidized LPG.

“As far as I know, the process will be more stringent. For example, if I use my ID card to buy once a day, I still use it, but the supervision will be tighter,” he explained.

When asked whether people not registered in the subsidy system will no longer be able to purchase 3-kg LPG next year, Tri briefly confirmed, “Yes, that’s the point.”

He further added that the policy will be accompanied by the implementation of a single price for 3-kg LPG across Indonesia. This plan is expected to prevent subsidy leakage, although details of the reference price have not been announced.

“Yes, that’s the plan,” he said.

Previously, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia discussed the subsidy distribution scheme for energy commodities, particularly LPG, for next year. Under the 2026 State Budget Draft (RAPBN), subsidies will remain commodity-based despite discussions of switching to a recipient-based system.

Bahlil explained that next year, LPG subsidies will remain commodity-based but recipient control will be tightened. Subsidies are expected to be provided only to households up to the 7th–8th decile.

The National Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) managed by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) will serve as the main reference for determining subsidy quotas. Technical details of the scheme will be finalized after the 2026 State Budget Law is enacted.

“We will still use a commodity-based approach, but only up to the 7th or 8th decile. Quotas will be monitored using unified data from BPS. Technical matters will be discussed once the budget law is passed,” said Bahlil at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, Monday (August 25, 2025).

Bahlil also confirmed that NIK-based data collection for LPG subsidies will commence next year. He urged wealthier households not to use subsidized LPG.

“So, don’t use 3-kg LPG, especially those in the 8th, 9th, and 10th deciles. I believe they should be aware of this,” he added.