Batam Petrol Stations Busy as Residents Anticipate Fuel Price Hike

Several public fuel filling stations (SPBU) in Tanjungpinang are beginning to be crowded with residents. This situation is triggered by the circulating rumours of a fuel oil (BBM) price increase, prompting the public to choose to fill their vehicle tanks fully.

For example, at the SPBU on Jalan Raja Haji Fisabilillah, vehicle queues are visibly busier than usual, and queues are still occurring until midday. Residents appear to be taking advantage of the situation to purchase fuel before any possible price adjustment.

One of the drivers, Jefri, 35, admitted that he deliberately filled his vehicle tank fully as a precautionary step.

“Yes, it’s said to be going up. So I’m filling it up first to save for the next few days,” he said on Wednesday (1/4).

Although rumours of a BBM price increase are increasingly discussed, SPBU officials confirm that there is no official information regarding price changes as of now.

A local SPBU supervisor, Aziz, 28, stated that they are still awaiting instructions from Pertamina.

“There is also no official information from Pertamina. As for when exactly it will rise, we haven’t received any news either,” he said.

He explained that current BBM prices are still normal, namely Pertalite at Rp10,000 per litre, Pertamax at around Rp12,500 per litre, and Pertamax Turbo at around Rp11,000 plus per litre.

In response to the circulating rumours, Pertamina’s Comrel MOR I, Zaki Mubaroq, urged the public not to be swayed by unverified information.

“We urge the public not to be swayed by information whose truth cannot yet be confirmed. Until now, there has been no official announcement from Pertamina regarding BBM price adjustments,” he said.

He emphasised that Pertamina will follow government policy in setting BBM prices. If there is a change, the information will be conveyed officially to the public.

“If there is a price change later, it will certainly be conveyed through Pertamina’s official channels,” he added.