BBM Queues Spread to Aceh's Malacca Strait Coast

Fri, 06 Mar 2026, 17:36 WIB | By Heryadi | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Energy

BBM Queues Spread to Aceh’s Malacca Strait Coast

From discussions of Ramadan to geopolitics, provocation with the issue of a 21-day national stock crisis due to the US-Israel vs Iran war, queues for BBM (Bahan Bakar Minyak) at SPBU (Stasiun Pengisian Bahan Bakar Umum) in Aceh Province have widened. Over the past four days it started in central Aceh areas such as Aceh Tengah and Bener Meriah regencies, and has now spread to other locations.

Aceh Tengah and Bener Meriah are neighbouring districts in central Aceh Province. They were among the worst affected by the great flood on 24-27 November 2025.

Residents in the highlands nicknamed Tanah Gayo were easily provoked by the issue related to a statement by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia on Monday, February 2, who said that BBM stock in Indonesia only lasts 20 days. Unfortunately the issue also spread to other districts along the Banda Aceh–Medan National Route.

Observations by Media Indonesia, from Thursday (6/3) to Friday early morning, the flood of car and motorcycle queues also occurred at several petrol stations along the Malacca Strait coastline. Among them at certain filling stations in Pidie Regency, Aceh Besar, Bireuen, Aceh Timur and Banda Aceh City, the capital of Aceh Province.

‘The queue in Kuta Blang, 30 minutes and it still hasn’t moved. Patience training,’ said Prof. Muttaqin Mansur, a professor at Syiah Kuala University, Aceh, who queued at the BBM queue at SPBU Kuta Blang, Bireuen Regency, on Friday afternoon.

In Pidie Regency, queues were at SPBU Pulo Pisang (Pidie District), SPBU Bambi (Pidie District), SPBU Beureunuen (Mutiara District). Then SPBU Blang Malu (East Mutiara District) and SPBU Ginting (Grong-Grong District).

Queues at smaller outlets also occurred at Pertashop Ulee Birah (Indrajaya District), Pertashop Keubang (Indrajaya District) and Pertashop Paloh (Pidie District).

Worried residents on Thursday afternoon grew when they saw some small outlets not operating, such as Pestashop Keuulibeut (Pidie District) and Pertashop Lampoih Saka (Peukan Baro District).

‘Yesterday I saw long queues at SPBU Beureunuen, but I turned back and didn’t fill. This morning my wife reminded me to refill. But because of the queues, I was reluctant to go to the SPBU,’ said Tarmizi, a resident of Lampoih Saka, Peukan Baro, Pidie, on Friday (6/3).

Tarmizi admitted that the provoked misperception that BBM stock would run out has caused extraordinary anxiety. The uncontrolled panic could spill over into other essential goods such as staple foods. ‘Some people have started buying instant noodles in excess of normal needs. They say it’s for food stock,’ he said.

EXPANDING STORAGE

Rector of Batam University (UNIBA), Samsul Rizal, told Media Indonesia on Friday (3/6) that the government or the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources should promptly build additional domestic BBM storage facilities. That would be very strategic to increase capacity and strengthen national energy reserves.

Current BBM storage is intended for 21-25 days of national needs. Under current conditions, it should at least be able to cover 90 days or three months.

‘This aligns with the volume of demand, the number of industries, the surge in vehicles and other needs now. Demand is rising continuously; energy stocks should not stand still,’ said Samsul Rizal, UNIBA Rector and former Rector of USK Banda Aceh, in two terms.

As reported by Media Indonesia, the Plumpang storage in Jakarta—the national primary BBM storage facility—was first used in 1974. Expansion in 1978 increased storage to 80,000 KL, with a further addition in 1987 to 200,000 KL.

Thereafter there was another expansion: 25 depots in Baro in eastern Indonesia in 2016. The existing stock still needs a lot more addition given demand and energy security.

‘All that exists was built decades ago. Meanwhile the current conditions are the opposite of the escalation of international politics and our needs,’ said Samsul Rizal, Acehnese community leader.

PhD holder in Structural Integrity from Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan, he also highlighted the way the Minister of ESDM, Bahlil Lahadalia, conveyed information that briefly sparked public panic. Misstating strategic needs during an emergency will lead to anxiety and have a large impact on the public.

‘We must be able to ensure and realise the president’s vision and mission. To realise the president’s wishes, it is at the level of ministers and director-generals. So presidential aides must be above average,’ said Universitas Syiah Kuala professor and 1994 exemplary lecturer.

Head of the Regional Task Force for Accelerated Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Aceh, Safrizal ZA, handed over humanitarian aid in the form of cooking utensils to flood-affected people in Aceh.

The phenomenon of total lunar eclipse on 3 March 2026 is expected to begin at 15:44 Western Indonesia Time with the umbra phase. Aceh Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs provides 4 telescopes.

Follow the schedule of the Total Lunar Eclipse on 3 March 2026 in Aceh. Check the peak time, visible phases, and the khusuf prayer advisory from BMKG & Kemenag.

Sumatera Disaster Recovery PRR Task Force aims for all evacuees in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to leave emergency tents before Eid al-Fitr 2026.

Additionally, extreme weather such as strong winds and heavy rain still haunts westernmost provinces of Indonesia.

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