Hundreds of Melon LPG Cylinders Hoarded in Chicken Coop in East Lombok
The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has denied the existence of a shortage of 3-kilogram LPG gas in East Lombok. It is suspected that one reason why Melon gas is sometimes difficult to obtain is due to hoarding.
The NTB Provincial Government claims that distribution is proceeding in accordance with the set quotas, and all parties with distribution rights have taken their supplies as appropriate.
“There is no shortage. Everyone with the right to distribute has taken according to the given quota,” said the Head of the Provincial Industry and Trade Office (Disperindag) of NTB, Lalu Wiranata, in Mataram on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
Nevertheless, the former Head of Bapedda in Central Lombok acknowledged that there are still issues at the distribution level that cause gas to be hard to find in communities. The NTB Disperindag is currently investigating potential obstacles or missing links in the distribution of 3kg LPG gas.
“Yesterday, officers in East Lombok found an attempt to hoard hundreds of gas cylinders in one chicken coop,” said Wiranata.
“There might be similar incidents in other places; we are investigating. We are still checking where the blockage is. Yesterday, a hoarding case was found in a chicken coop. There could be similar incidents elsewhere, and we are tracing them,” he added.
Wiranata said that to address this issue, the NTB Disperindag is also coordinating with various parties to identify potential hoarding or off-target distribution.
In addition, supervision of prices and distribution is being tightened. Because, based on information from Pertamina Patra Niaga, the gas stock sent from Java is in a safe condition and has been distributed as planned to ensure that shortages at the community level become a serious concern for the government.
“In terms of stock, there is no problem. Pertamina states that distribution is fulfilled. But if the goods are hard to find in society, that means there is a distribution problem that we are looking for,” he emphasised.
Wiranata stressed that if distribution runs normally, the public need not worry. However, if deviations such as hoarding occur, his side will take firm action.
“If there is no gas, the public could have difficulty cooking. It’s impossible to go back to wood, which could also impact the environment,” he said.
Pertamina Claims Stocks Are Safe
Area Manager for Communication, Relations & CSR Jatimbalinus, Ahad Rahedi, assured that stocks of 3kg LPG gas in East Lombok are safe and sufficient.
“We have conducted checks and we assure that distribution is running normally and smoothly from the SPPBE level to the depot,” Ahad explained.
As a follow-up, since early April, said Ahad, Pertamina has massively carried out additional distribution as anticipation and mitigation of consumption spikes in East Lombok. The total additional supply distributed in East Lombok Regency to date reaches 59,000 cylinders.
“These additions are distributed starting from the post-Eid al-Fitr period, the long Easter holiday, to the implementation of market operations,” said Ahad.
As further anticipation, Pertamina Patra Niaga has also coordinated with the Regent of East Lombok and related agencies. Joint inspections have been conducted to ensure smooth supply and distribution, and that the 3kg subsidised LPG is used according to its purpose and on target.
In addition, Ahad stated that Pertamina is carrying out mitigation through additional stocks in coordination with the local government, prioritising areas with high absorption potential.
“We have mitigated the occurrence of demand spikes; Pertamina has asked agents to prioritise deliveries to depots with the highest absorption indications,” he emphasised.
Then at the depot level, Ahad said, sales to direct consumers must be prioritised at prices according to the HET.
“We reiterate to all agents and depots that distribution must be on target and check diligently regarding final sales to consumers. If any provision is not complied with by the official agent/depot party, sanctions will be given in the form of stop allocation up to Termination of Business Relations (PHU),” he concluded.