By: Rustam Khoiruddin (*
The Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holiday period is always crucial for national social and economic stability. Public mobility increases significantly, energy consumption surges, and food demand tends to rise. In situations like this, the government’s role is vital in ensuring the availability of fuel, electricity, and food, while maintaining price control. This year, the government demonstrated commendable preparedness through measured, data-driven measures.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has ensured that national energy security is secure during the 2025/2026 Christmas and New Year holidays. ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that fuel supplies are sufficient to meet the surge in public demand. Pertalite, or RON 90, has a fuel supply of around 19 days, exceeding the national minimum of 17–18 days. RON 92 has a fuel supply of over 23 days, while RON 95 has a supply of over 31 days. These figures reflect thorough and proactive planning.
Not only gasoline, but diesel fuel supplies are also at a safe level. Subsidized CN48 diesel fuel has a shelf life of around 15 days, above the minimum limit of 14 days. Meanwhile, non-subsidized CN53 diesel fuel has a shelf life of around 25 days. The aviation fuel shelf life of over 29 days is also an important indicator that the air transportation sector, which is typically busy during Christmas and New Year, will not be disrupted by energy supply issues. On the electricity side, national conditions are declared normal, with the availability of raw materials for power plants, including fuel, gas, and coal, at over 10 days. This provides a sense of security for the public that household and economic activities will continue without power outages.
The government’s commitment was further strengthened by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung’s statement, which emphasized that energy sufficiency during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays is a top priority. The government is not oblivious to potential disruptions, including the impact of natural disasters that affected fuel distribution in several regions. However, a swift response was made with additional supplies from Dumai and West Sumatra. This step demonstrates the government’s active, not merely reactive, presence in ensuring the community’s basic needs.
Furthermore, increasing national fuel reserves from a minimum of 18 days to 24–26 days is considered a smart medium-term strategy. This policy is not only for Christmas and New Year (Nataru) but also anticipates the series of religious holidays that follow, such as Chinese New Year, Ramadan, and Eid al-Fitr. Thus, energy stability is not seasonal, but sustainable.
In the food sector, the government is also demonstrating similar seriousness. The Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization at the National Food Agency (Bapanas), I Gusti Ketut Astawa, ensured that rice supply and prices at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC) remained secure and under control during Christmas and New Year. As Indonesia’s largest rice distribution center, PIBC serves as a key barometer for national price and supply movements. The fact that trading activities are running normally and conducively is a positive signal for national food stability.
The presented price data also demonstrates the tangible results of government controls. The average price of medium-grade rice is Rp12,300 per kilogram, below the Highest Retail Price (HET) for Zone 1 of Rp13,500 per kilogram. Meanwhile, premium rice is priced at around Rp13,700 per kilogram, also below the HET of Rp14,900 per kilogram. This demonstrates that adequate supply and smooth distribution can mitigate price fluctuations while protecting public purchasing power.
Efforts to maintain stability don’t stop downstream. Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani emphasized the importance of price commitments at the wholesale level. Upstream price stability is considered to create a healthy distribution chain, provide fair business space for retailers, and simultaneously protect consumers. This approach reflects a balance between the interests of businesses and the wider community.
The government’s firm stance was also evident in the stance of Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman. Ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays (Nataru), the government emphasized that it would not tolerate food businesses selling commodities above the highest retail price (HET). Enforcing this regulation is supported by the abundant national food supply. All strategic commodities are guaranteed to be safe, so there is no justification for price spikes. The advisory period has been declared over, and the government is now prioritizing strict monitoring and direct action on the ground.
From a social perspective, these measures have an impact far beyond the technical aspects. Stable fuel, electricity, and food during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) period provide a sense of psychological security for the community. Families can celebrate religious holidays in peace, small businesses can continue their activities, and the local economy operates without undue stress from price fluctuations or supply shortages.
As the Christmas and New Year holidays approach, which are synonymous with increased demand, the public deserves full trust in the government. Robust supply data, secure distribution, and firm oversight demonstrate that the government is present and working for the people. With synergy between the government, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and businesses, the stability of fuel, LPG, electricity, and food during Christmas and New Year is not just a promise, but a reality directly experienced by the public. Public trust is crucial social capital for efforts to maintain this stability to continue effectively for the common good.
(* The author is a social observer