Andre Rosiade Inspects Subsidised Diesel in West Sumatra, Asserts Scarcity Not Due to Quota Shortage

Andre Rosiade, accompanied by Pertamina Patra Niaga’s Sales Area Manager for Retail in West Sumatra, Fakhri Rizal Hasibuan, conducted a visit on Friday (5/6/2026). They monitored activities at petrol stations across West Sumatra through an integrated CCTV system. Andre scrutinised data on subsidised diesel distribution, vehicle queues, and fuel consumption patterns in various areas. Based on Pertamina’s presentation, Andre stated that the diesel scarcity occurring in West Sumatra is not caused by a lack of quota provided by the central government. “Looking at the last five years, West Sumatra’s fuel quota has never been insufficient. In fact, it increases every year. Last year we received an additional 15 percent quota, and this year sales are already 5 percent over the quota, but scarcity still occurs. So the problem is not the quota,” Andre said in a written statement on Friday (5/6/2026). Pertamina data shows that for the period of 16-23 May 2026, the distribution of subsidised biodiesel reached 14,264 kilolitres, or an average of 1,788 kilolitres per day. This figure is equivalent to 118 percent of the daily quota, representing an over-quota of 18 percent. Meanwhile, for the period of 27 May to 2 June 2026, total distribution reached 11,640 kilolitres with an average of 1,669 kilolitres per day, or approximately 110.2 percent of the daily quota. Fakhri Rizal explained that this condition shows Pertamina has continuously increased the distribution of subsidised diesel in West Sumatra. He noted that even up to early June, the consumption of subsidised diesel in West Sumatra had exceeded the allocated quota. “As of 2 June, diesel is already over quota by about 19 percent on a year-to-date basis. The largest overages are in Padang City and Padang Panjang City. As for Pertalite, it is relatively secure and without issues,” said Fakhri. Andre believes these facts further strengthen the suspicion that the main problem lies in the misuse of subsidised diesel. According to him, a recurring pattern over the years shows that whenever illegal gold mining activities increase, diesel becomes scarce for the public. Conversely, when authorities conduct raids and enforcement actions against illegal mines, diesel availability returns to normal. “This is no longer a suspicion, but a recurring fact. Whenever illegal mining is rampant, diesel is scarce. Once there are operations and enforcement against illegal mining, diesel becomes easy for the public to obtain again. The pattern is always like that,” said the General Chairman of the DPP Ikatan Keluarga Minang (IKM). During the discussion, Fakhri explained that after a joint operation was carried out with the local government and law enforcement in May, daily diesel consumption had dropped significantly from around 1,800 kilolitres per day to only about 1,100 to 1,200 kilolitres per day. “After the enforcement, there was indeed an immediate drop. It is visible from the consumption data we hold,” said Fakhri. Andre urged Pertamina not to rely solely on coordination meetings but also to strengthen field supervision of vehicles suspected of stockpiling subsidised fuel. He supports Pertamina working together with local governments and authorities to resolve the issue of subsidised diesel scarcity. “My objective is simple. The entitled public must get the subsidised fuel. Do not let those who misuse it be the ones who benefit, harming the people of West Sumatra,” he added.