Kobar Government and Pertamina Discuss Solutions to Long Fuel Queues
The Government of West Kotawaringin Regency (Kobar), Central Kalimantan, and Pertamina are following up on public complaints and seeking solutions to the long queues occurring at public fuel filling stations (SPBU).
“This meeting is partly to address the issues that have been complained about by the public, both those conveyed directly to us and through social media,” said Kobar Regent Nurhidayah in Pangkalan Bun, Thursday.
The follow-up was conducted through a coordination meeting between the Kobar government, led by the regent, and the Sales Branch Manager II Fuel Central Kalimantan of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (Persero), Lucky Harianto, regarding fuel distribution and supply.
Nurhidayah stated that the local government does not want to remain idle. Her party immediately held further coordination with relevant parties in an effort to maximise services to the community.
“This is so that the distribution of BBM in Kobar Regency can run smoothly, orderly, and on target, and also so that the community’s needs can be met,” said the hijab-wearing woman.
The Kobar Regency Government has also formed a Task Force whose members consist of elements from the Resort Police, the 1014/Pangkalan Bun Military District Command, and the Kotawaringin Barat District Prosecutor’s Office.
Nurhidayah conveyed that her party has made efforts in the context that service is a priority, but there are limitations for the local government in the field, especially not exceeding its authority.
“We certainly want this to run safely and without any problems or obstacles, but in terms of distribution and its regulatory nature, that is in the hands of Pertamina,” said Nurhidayah.
Meanwhile, Sales Branch Manager II Fuel Central Kalimantan of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (Persero), Lucky Harianto, stated that the fuel stock for supply in Kobar Regency is in a safe condition. However, there are other causes that have led to long queues at several SPBUs in the West Kotawaringin area.
“This long BBM queue occurred due to the influence of changes in public consumption patterns, following the adjustment of non-subsidised BBM prices for Pertamax some time ago,” he explained.
Lucky Harianto explained that currently, the realisation of Pertamax consumption has decreased by about 32 per cent, while the realisation of Pertalite usage has increased by about 12 per cent.
“So it is this shift in consumption that has affected the queue conditions at several SPBUs,” he clarified.
To follow up on these field conditions, his party continues to take steps to strengthen distribution, including increasing monitoring of stock resilience at each SPBU, and routinely monitoring BBM distribution from depots to distributors.
They are also asking each SPBU to implement optimal stock management through morning stock monitoring, daily distribution evaluation, and planning for the next day’s needs.
Lucky said his party will also regulate operating hours and manage queues in the SPBU area, and add Pertalite filling nozzles at several locations.
“We will also coordinate with law enforcement officials to anticipate the misuse of subsidised BBM. There will be other firm actions, namely the blocking of barcode accounts indicated to be involved in misuse,” he stressed.
His party will also propose an increase in the Pertamax quota and enhance education for SPBU operators to implement standard operating procedures, especially in the distribution of subsidised BBM and the use of the QR Code system.
“The hope is that with the steps we are undertaking, the long BBM queues in Kobar Regency can be overcome, and activities at SPBUs can run smoothly again,” said Lucky Harianto.