Pertamina expects non-subsidized fuel sales to remain strong

Despite soaring commodity prices, state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina says the sales of non-subsidized fuels will remain steady.

Pertamina spokesperson Mochamad Harun on Monday said the company had an established base of loyal customers who regularly purchased non-subsidized fuels. Mochamad said he was sure these customers would not switch to using cheaper fuels sold by foreign retailers such as Shell, Petronas and Total.

“Sales will remain normal. Our customers will continue to buy [non-subsidized fuel brands] because they're loyal customers.

"We know there are 'swingers' who have switched to subsidized fuels since prices hit Rp 8,000 per liter,” he said.

Harun's statement contradicts data on non-subsidized fuels sales in the first three months of 2011, published earlier by downstream oil and gas regulator BPH Migas.

This data shows Q1 sales dropped by 37.65 percent year-on-year to 24.83 million liters from 39.83 million liters.