Bahlil Confirms Fuel Supply in Makassar has Returned to Normal, No More Scarcity

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that the issue of fuel scarcity that recently occurred in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has been resolved and the supply condition is now stable.

“What happened yesterday in Makassar, Alhamdulillah, has been resolved and completed, and I have reported this to the President,” Bahlil said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday, 17 September 2026.

Bahlil noted that, on a national level, fuel stocks remain in a safe condition. The government has established a minimum standard for national requirements at approximately 18 to 20 days.

According to him, one of the factors causing fuel queues in Makassar was a shift in consumption from non-subsidised fuel to subsidised fuel. This shift occurred alongside the rise in global oil prices, which are currently above 100 US dollars per barrel.

“We know that the global price situation is not ideal. It has now reached over 100 US dollars per barrel. This certainly impacts national prices, as we have not increased our subsidised prices,” he explained.

This situation, Bahlil continued, led some members of the public who previously used non-subsidised fuel to switch to subsidised fuel.

Furthermore, Bahlil mentioned findings by the police regarding the alleged excessive use of subsidised fuel, which also contributed to longer queues at several locations. He stated that there were vehicles that had been modified or possessed very large tank capacities, reaching up to 700 litres or even 1 tonne, to collect fuel.

Bahlil conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto has directed that these issues be regulated immediately. The government also continues to coordinate with PT Pertamina (Persero) as the party responsible for implementing fuel policies on the ground.

“The instruction is that we must regulate this immediately. Because we know that the government acts as the regulator, while the implementation on the ground is handled by Pertamina. Therefore, I am continuously coordinating with Pertamina,” said Bahlil.

He also reminded members of the public who are deemed economically capable not to use subsidised fuel, as such fuel is intended for the groups of society entitled to receive it.

“Our brothers and sisters who are capable, who drive nice cars, please, this subsidy is for our brothers and sisters who are entitled to receive it,” Bahlil concluded.