JAKARTA; State-owned energy holding company Pertamina has been ordered to double its fuel tanker fleet serving Bali to address distribution bottlenecks, which have caused shortages and long queues at petrol stations across the island province over the past week, while ensuring that national fuel reserves remain at safe levels, according to newly appointed Coordinating Downstream and Energy Transition Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.
“I have ordered them to immediately double the number of ships so that undesirable conditions do not occur in the regions and distribution can be accelerated,” he said on Friday.
The current supply of subsidised 90 RON petrol, branded Pertalite, would cover up to 18 days of demand, Bahlil said, adding that the government expected stocks to recover to around 20 days of demand within a week.
“Having stocks for 16 to 18 days does not mean we are below the minimum standard; that level is still adequate,” he said.
Bahlil partly attributed the decline in Pertalite supply to changing consumption patterns, as some motorists were switching from higher-octane, unsubsidised 92 RON and 95 RON fuels to the subsidised petrol.
The senior minister also urged the National Police to take action against individuals suspected of hoarding subsidised fuel, warning that the practice deprived eligible consumers of state-funded assistance.
Hoarders typically used large tank trucks to purchase greater quantities of Pertalite, he explained.
“Subsidised diesel is stored and then sold again at industrial prices. The subsidy is borne by the state,” said Bahlil.
Police in Bali have been pursuing alleged fuel-hoarding cases, including one uncovered in October in which seven men were suspected of stockpiling Pertalite and subsidised diesel and reselling them at Rp100,000 (US$5.50) per 1.5 litres.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster is meanwhile coordinating with Pertamina and the provincial police to accelerate fuel distribution and ease congestion at petrol stations.
Koster inspected a trial of manual fuel distribution using jerrycans at several petrol stations on Thursday, Antara reported, after earlier visiting the Sanggaran fuel depot to discuss stock availability and distribution with Pertamina Patra Niaga, Pertamina’s nationwide distribution arm.
The governor said adequate fuel supplies needed to be matched by faster deliveries using police escorts to ensure even distribution to Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan, Gianyar and other areas.
Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Bali division said the company continued to evaluate demand in its service area as it distributed around 5,000 litres of Pertalite daily to petrol stations in Denpasar, where purchases were limited to 3 litres per motorcyclist, with payment in cash.
“To support the restoration of services, we are maximising the Pertamina Delivery Service as an alternative for motorcyclists, particularly at locations requiring further intervention,” Ahad Rahedi, Bali area manager for communications, relations and corporate social responsibility, said on Friday in Denpasar, as quoted by Antara.
Pertamina president director Simon Aloysius Mantiri previously apologised for long queues at petrol stations across Bali, saying the disruption was partly due to difficulties encountered during the unloading of a tanker vessel involving its anchor. - Jakarta Post/ANN
