Long queues at fuel stations have persisted in Bali and other parts of Indonesia since mid-October, with the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia reporting fuel service disruptions in 11 provinces, including Bali, Papua Barat, Banten, Kalimantan Barat, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Utara, Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Utara, Sulawesi Tenggara, Aceh and Jawa Barat.
In some areas vehicle queues stretched to about 1 kilometre. In West Sumatra, drivers reported waiting two to three hours. Abdul Goffar, a member of the Ombudsman RI, said records in South Sumatra point to a shift of some users from non-subsidised fuel to diesel, alongside quota problems and delays in distribution of Biosolar blend feedstock. In his view, there are indications of a mismatch between real demand, quotas and supply for certain fuel types.
Reserves and weather cited
Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the national fuel reserve stock remains safe, but logistics obstacles caused by natural factors, extreme weather and El Nino-driven river silting had forced distribution onto slower land routes. He said stock cover had declined to 16-18 days from a previous level of 20 days.
Simon Aloysius Mantiri, President Director of Pertamina, pointed to a separate factor: technical problems with the anchor system of tanker ships during cargo discharge, which delayed unloading from morning until late at night and hindered distribution to fuel stations. Bahlil ordered Pertamina to double its tanker fleet in response.
Consumption surge in Bali
In Bali, daily Pertalite consumption normally averages 2,200 kilolitres but has exceeded 3,000 kilolitres a day amid the disruption. Bahlil also cited misuse of subsidised fuel by unauthorised consumers, including vehicle tank modifications intended for hoarding, as a contributing factor.
Underlying structural issues named include past corruption cases in crude and refined product procurement, Indonesia’s dependence on fuel imports, constraints on refinery capacity, and a 2025 policy that allows private business entities to import fuel.
Related: Indonesia holds fuel subsidy prices despite ICP surge
Source: Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia
