Yogyakarta, March 17 -- Indonesia's government said it still has the fiscal capacity to maintain domestic fuel prices through the end of the year despite rising global energy costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said there were no immediate plans to raise fuel prices, as the government has sufficient funds to sustain current price levels.

"As of now, there are no plans to increase fuel prices because we still have enough funds to maintain them," Sadewa said after visiting Beringharjo Market in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

He said the government is using the state budget, or APBN, as a buffer to shield the public from external shocks and protect purchasing power.

"The role of the budget is to abs...