Bahlil Urges Public Not to Panic-Buy Fuel Amid Middle East Conflict

Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia urged the public to stay calm following concerns about fuel availability as the US–Israel and Iran conflict heats up. He stressed that Indonesia’s fuel stocks are secure.

He explained that the capacity of the national oil storage has long stood at around 25 days; however, the minimum stock level for national needs is above 20 days. ‘The storage capacity at our oil depots has, historically, been just 25 days. So the storage capacity is only 25 days. This has been the case for a long time,’ he said at a Golkar DPP event in Slipi, West Jakarta, on Friday (6 March 2026).

‘Now our minimum stock level for national needs must be above 20 days. Right now, our oil is at 23 days,’ he added.

Bahlil emphasised that the current oil ownership level remains safe. He urged the public not to panic. ‘So that means our oil stocks are safe. No need to panic. Supplies are running smoothly,’ he said.

The Golkar chairman noted that a portion of Indonesia’s crude comes from the Middle East region. However, the government has prepared alternative sources. ‘We source crude oil from the Middle East, not finished products—the crude feedstock. That accounts for 20 to 25%. But I have already secured substitutes. We, together with Pertamina, have shifted from sourcing from the Middle East to sourcing from the US, then from Nigeria, and from Brazil,’ he explained.

‘So there is no need for panic buying,’ he added.

Bahlil also stated that domestic production of diesel is currently sufficient. As for petrol, he said Indonesia does not import from the Middle East.

‘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 in part we are building our domestic refining industry,’ he said.

Bahlil assured that the fuel situation remains safe, even amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He hoped there would be no more provocation regarding fuel availability.

‘God willing, even if war breaks out in the Middle East, our situation will be safe. Again, I say it is safe,’ he added. ‘So there is no need to heed provocations or misinformation. God willing, safe. The government will stand with the people, so there is no sense of unease that is out of place,’ he concluded.