Home Affairs Minister Reveals Reason for Temporary Fuel Queues in Two West Kalimantan Areas
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian explained that the circular restricting fuel oil (BBM) in Singkawang City and Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, has been revoked and was actually implemented to reduce purchase queues.
Meeting after the press conference on the Quick Best Results Programme (PHTC) in education in Jakarta on Wednesday, the Minister stated that the Home Affairs Ministry immediately confirmed with the two cities/regencies regarding the circulating circular on fuel restrictions that caused long queues for fuel purchases.
“I asked the Regent, the Singkawang Mayor was questioned by the secretary general, they saw that the public had long queues to refuel. Based on that, to reduce the queues, that was the aim, so these two regional heads issued a circular limiting fuel to a certain amount,” said the Minister.
“What happened was that it was interpreted as fuel being scarce, so it ended up making the queues even longer, leading to panic buying because of the limiting circular. Whereas the intention was to reduce the queues,” he continued.
For this reason, the Home Affairs Ministry stated that it has communicated with the relevant regional government to revoke the circular and explain to the public that fuel and gas stocks are in a safe condition.
“After it was conveyed to the public, revoked that it’s safe, stocks are sufficient, yes, back to normal,” he said.
Previously, the Singkawang City Government, effective from 18 March 2026, has revoked the fuel filling restriction policy.
Singkawang Mayor Tjhai Chui Mie said the decision was taken based on monitoring results at 11 petrol stations showing no more vehicle congestion during refuelling.
President Prabowo Subianto had previously encouraged saving fuel consumption and considering working from home (WFH) to anticipate the impact of the global crisis.
The President highlighted developments in the global situation in Europe and the Middle East that have the potential to affect fuel prices.
The increase in energy prices is deemed to impact food prices, so the government needs to prepare proactive measures.