Bahlil Assures Fuel Stock Is Safe: Don’t Panic Buy
ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES MINISTER Bahlil Lahadalia has urged the public not to engage in panic buying of fuel following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a consequence of the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Bahlil assured that the domestic fuel stock is sufficient to meet the country’s needs.
‘We, together with Pertamina, have switched from sourcing from the Middle East to sourcing in the United States, then from Nigeria, and from Brazil. So there is no need for panic buying,’ Bahlil said at the Golkar Party’s Central Leadership Council office in Jakarta on Friday evening, 6 March 2026.
The statement by the Chairman of Golkar came in response to long queues at petrol stations across the country as people feared they would not be able to secure fuel. The panic-buying phenomenon was triggered by Bahlil’s earlier remark that domestic fuel stock would be enough for 20 days.
Bahlil emphasised that what he said referred to Indonesia’s oil storage capacity, which can hold a maximum reserve of 25 days. He claimed this has been the case for a long time, not just recently.
Meanwhile, according to Bahlil, national standards set a minimum oil reserve for the next 20 days. He thus believes there is no issue with the storage capacity and its realisation amid the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israel.
‘Our minimum availability standard, under national guidelines, must be above 20 days. Now our oil stock stands at 23 days. So that means our oil ownership standard is safe. So there is no need to panic. Supplies are steady,’ Bahlil said.
He then added that Indonesia has domestically produced diesel. He also insisted that as long as the 20 days’ oil reserves are kept in storage, production and supply will continue normally.
He urged all members of the public to remain calm, as the government says it will always be present. ‘God willing, even if there is war in the Middle East, our conditions are safe. Once again I reiterate that it is safe. So do not listen to provocations or misinformation,’ he said.