BPH Migas and Ombudsman Collaborate to Secure Fuel Distribution in East Java

The Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) and the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia are collaborating to ensure the smooth distribution of fuel in the East Java region. BPH Migas Head Wahyudi Anas stated that fuel supply and distribution conditions in East Java are confirmed to have returned to normal and are running smoothly. Wahyudi, together with Ombudsman Vice Chairman Rahmadi Indra Tektona, conducted supervision and monitoring in several areas of East Java on Thursday. A number of petrol stations in Surabaya and Sidoarjo were visited to ensure public access to energy is maintained and economic activities run smoothly. During the monitoring, quality and quantity tests were also carried out on fuel to be distributed to the public. The inspection covered the quality and volume of fuel dispensed from the nozzles at the stations. The results showed that the measurements and quality of the fuel complied with established standards. “Alhamdulillah, from density to measuring instruments and water content in the fuel, nothing exceeded the provisions. Everything is safe, especially the water content, it is clean with no mixture at all,” Wahyudi said while at a petrol station in Tegalsari Subdistrict, Surabaya. Besides quality, BPH Migas also monitored fuel stocks during the period of high public activity. In several areas, fuel consumption increased, particularly for Biosolar and Pertalite. However, the increased demand was anticipated, ensuring distribution continued smoothly. “During the school holidays and long weekend, Pertalite distribution rose by around 14 to 25 percent depending on the location of the petrol station’s route. Meanwhile, Biosolar rose between 20 and 25 percent. Alhamdulillah, everything was covered and there were no problems,” he explained. Wahyudi noted that vehicle density points were observed in the Tanjung Perak Port area of Surabaya, Tambak Osowilangun Surabaya, Kebomas Gresik, as well as the Km 26 Surabaya Toll Rest Area towards Malang and the Pasuruan-Probolinggo-Banyuwangi corridor towards Bali or West Nusa Tenggara. BPH Migas continues to encourage the implementation of the regular, alternative, and emergency (RAE) scheme. Pertamina also deployed 226 tanker trucks and 15 spot charter tankers, with a distribution realisation reaching 11,350 kilolitres per trip. Based on field monitoring results, no indications of subsidised fuel misuse were found. The congestion that occurred was purely due to increased economic activity using land transportation, such as logistics. To support smooth distribution, BPH Migas is facilitating the reallocation of diesel fuel between regions to maintain supply adequacy in high-demand areas. “We provide an opportunity for Pertamina Patra Niaga to reallocate fuel to facilitate distribution to the public. This is government support to ease potential queues on these main logistics routes,” he stated. Wahyudi also urged the public to use fuel according to their needs and avoid excessive purchasing. “Use fuel sufficiently and buy wisely and reasonably according to your needs,” he stressed. Meanwhile, Rahmadi assessed that based on direct supervision in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, the fuel distribution conditions in East Java have now returned to being conducive. “Alhamdulillah, we were able to join BPH Migas in conducting joint supervision regarding fuel distribution in East Java. We saw the process directly from start to finish. As we know, a few weeks ago there was a fuel shortage, and today everything is running normally again,” he said. Rahmadi hopes that inter-agency coordination and collaboration can continue to be strengthened so that similar issues do not recur, providing peace of mind and benefits to the wider community.