Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia has 16 to 18 days of national fuel reserves, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Friday, October 16, 2026. His statement comes as long queues form at gas stations in several regions, including Bali and East Java.
Bahlil said Pertamina had reported that national fuel supplies remained secure. He attributed the disruptions in Bali and parts of East Java to distribution problems, particularly involving fuel shipments by sea.
“Pertamina reported that distribution from East Java to Bali and several other areas has faced issues related to ships,” Bahlil told reporters at his office in Jakarta.
To address the problem, he instructed Pertamina to increase the number of vessels serving the affected routes. The move aims to speed up deliveries and prevent further disruptions to local fuel supplies.
Meanwhile, Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Jatimbalinus Regional Office said subsidized fuel stocks in East Java remained sufficient. The company issued the statement after vehicle queues appeared at gas stations in Jember, Blitar and Malang.
Ahad Rahedi, the regional office’s Area Manager for Communication, Relations and CSR, said supply levels at key fuel terminals remained stable. These include Tanjung Wangi Terminal, which primarily supplies Jember and surrounding areas.
Pertamina is continuing to monitor local demand and adjust deliveries while complying with government-set fuel allocation quotas.
Ahad said the queues partly reflected a shift in consumer demand from non-subsidized fuel, such as Pertamax, to subsidized Pertalite. This change has required the company to reassess delivery volumes for individual gas stations.
The shift in consumption has added pressure to distribution planning, even as Pertamina maintains that available stocks remain adequate.
The situation highlights the difference between national fuel availability and local distribution challenges. While the government says overall reserves are secure, authorities and Pertamina must ensure shipments reach affected areas quickly enough to meet demand.
