Fuel shortage burdens Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: Over the past three days, Jambi has been grappling with an acute diesel fuel scarcity, forcing customers on Monday to buy fuel private, roadside vendors at inflated prices.

No diesel fuel was available at the city's main gas stations, such as on Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim where the supply had ran out three days ago or on Jl. Kol. Abunjani where ran out on Sunday.

"I've been buying diesel from roadside vendors for the last two days," a public minibus driver, Anwar, said on Monday. The retailers sell diesel fuel at Rp 5,000 per liter, higher than Rp 4,300 per liter sold at government gas stations.

The scarcity has also forced people to order diesel before it arrived. "We won't get any unless we make an order first," said Anwar, who had paid in advance for his order of 20 liters of diesel fuel a day.

Government-controlled oil monopoly Pertamina has not commented on the diesel fuel shortage. -- JP