Long Fuel Queues in Makassar Spark Concern; Bahlil Reveals Underlying Causes
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, has spoken out regarding the long queues for fuel purchases at several petrol stations in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
According to the Minister, the cause of the queues is not a shortage of fuel stocks, as national fuel reserves remain above the minimum standard of 20 days. Bahlil noted that the queues are occurring due to a shift in public consumption from non-subsidised fuel to subsidised fuel. Furthermore, there are indications of fuel hoarding through the use of modified vehicles.
“Some are shifting, but far more than that, there are cars and trucks creating large tanks, ranging from 700 litres to one tonne, to fill with fuel,” Bahlil stated during his speech at the InTechSea 2026 event at the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta on Monday (14/09/2026).
He noted that this was a finding by his department following cooperation with local police authorities. Bahlil added that, in addition to modified vehicles used for fuel storage, there are indications that the queues are being engineered, with certain vehicles intentionally queuing. “There are even indications that motorcycles and cars are intentionally queuing; their tanks are not even empty when they join the line, containing as little as 15, 10, or 20 litres. I do not understand what is happening there, but that is the fact,” Bahlil remarked.
Following the event, he told reporters that the government is continuing to implement preventative measures to ensure such incidents do not recur. Bahlil also confirmed that national fuel stocks remain adequate.
Pertamina’s Explanation
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has confirmed that the condition of subsidised fuel queues in Makassar, South Sulawesi, is easing. Out of a total of 45 petrol stations serving the public, more than 35 stations, or approximately 80%, have shown more stable conditions.
This improvement in queue conditions is the result of coordination and collaboration between Patra Niaga and the South Sulawesi Provincial Government to increase service capacity and regulate the distribution of subsidised fuel on the ground.
Several measures have been implemented, including the addition of operators and service lanes for subsidised fuel at various petrol stations, the operation of 25 petrol stations 24 hours a day, and the addition of distribution points through Modular Petrol Stations at the Centre Point of Indonesia (CPI). These steps were taken to increase service capacity and provide alternative refuelling points for the public.
In addition to the steps already taken, further efforts are ongoing and being optimised. The 24-hour operation of petrol stations, the addition of operators and service lanes, and the operation of the Modular Petrol Station at CPI are being continuously monitored to ensure additional capacity is utilised optimally. An odd-even system is also being applied in accordance with regulations to help maintain the smoothness and order of services at petrol stations.
Acting Area Manager for Communication, Relations & CSR of Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sulawesi, Okky Aditya Wibowo, stated that the easing of queues in the majority of petrol stations is the result of synergy and continuous evaluation conducted alongside the Local Government.
“From a total of 45 petrol stations in Makassar, more than 35 stations, or about 80 percent, have shown increasingly conducive queue conditions. The waiting time for the public is also becoming shorter. The various steps we have taken are ongoing, and we are optimising them with the Local Government to ensure the condition of subsidised fuel services continues to improve,” Okky said in a written statement on Monday (14/09/2026).
Pertamina continues to ensure that subsidised fuel services run optimally by strengthening field capacity. Monitoring of queue conditions is also conducted periodically to assess the needs of each petrol station and determine necessary adjustments.
Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sulawesi and the Local Government will continue to evaluate the queue conditions and subsidised fuel services in Makassar. Improvement and adjustment efforts will continue in accordance with developments on the ground.