Falling Oil Prices No Reason for Complacency: Lawmaker

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The House of Representatives Commission XII has urged the government not to rush into short-term policy decisions in response to falling global oil prices, warning that the decline should not be misread as a sign of stability.

Commission XII lawmaker Ratna Juwita Sari stressed that global geopolitical dynamics remain volatile and could quickly reverse current price trends. 

“The decline in oil prices should not let our guard down. This is actually the right time for Indonesia to secure its supply and increase its reserves, because the global geopolitical situation is still unstable,” she said in a press statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Ratna cautioned that regional conflicts and tensions among energy-producing countries could trigger sudden price spikes. She argued that Indonesia must strengthen its national energy reserves rather than simply adjusting prices or delaying strategic measures. “Energy policy must be based on long-term resilience, not just short-term fiscal calculations,” she said.

She also warned that dependence on imports and weak strategic reserves poses significant risks, particularly if global prices surge unexpectedly. 

Ratna called on the government to be more transparent in managing energy reserves and to involve the House in oversight. “Every policy taken must genuinely serve the national interest and economic sustainability,” she added.

Global oil prices closed slightly lower on Monday, January 26. According to Reuters, Brent Crude fell 0.4 percent to USD 65.59 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) weakened 0.7 percent to USD 60.63.​ (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)