Bahlil clarifies 20-day fuel stock that prompted panic buying among residents

JAKARTA — Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has clarified his earlier remarks about a remaining 20-day fuel stock following the potential closure of the Hormuz Strait due to the Iran–Israel–United States conflict. He said that, historically, Indonesia’s crude oil storage capacity has always been 25 days. However, he assured that Indonesia’s oil holdings are safe, so the public does not need to engage in panic buying.

‘The storage capacity for our oil reserves has, since long ago, been 25 days. So the storage facility itself can hold 25 days. This has always been the case, not new,’ Bahlil told reporters at the Golkar Party headquarters, West Jakarta, on Friday evening (6 March 2026).

Bahlil said Indonesia imports crude oil from the Middle East, not refined oil. He conceded that crude from the Middle East accounts for about 20–25 percent of Indonesia’s intake. However, he added that Indonesia has secured replacements. ‘We, together with Pertamina, have switched from the Middle East to imports from the United States, then from Nigeria and Brazil. So there is no need for panic buying,’ he asserted.

Bahlil noted that Indonesia continues to produce fuels, even though storage capacity is limited to 25 days. ‘We do not import petrol from the Middle East, nor from the United States or Africa. Our petrol imports come from Singapore and Malaysia, and we are expanding our domestic refinery capacity,’ he explained.

‘God willing, even if there is conflict in the Middle East, our situation is safe. Again, I emphasise it is safe. So there is no need for provocation or misinformation. God willing, it is safe. The government will be present with the people, so there is no need for an ill-at-ease sentiment,’ Bahlil added.