MP Calls for Improvements to Fuel Distribution in Bali

Denpasar (ANTARA) – Indonesian House of Representatives member I Gusti Ngurah Kesuma Kelakan stressed the need to improve fuel distribution in Bali after supplies ran short at several petrol stations on the island.

“The problem is not, in my view, a surge in consumption, but rather the distribution system, which needs to be changed, because preparations for a rise in demand have already been factored in,” Kesuma Kelakan said in Denpasar on Tuesday.

He said preparations allow for a 10–20 per cent increase above average daily consumption. Pertalite, for example, is consumed at around 2,200 kilolitres a day.

The House Commission VI member urged authorities to prioritise petrol stations facing shortages, including those in Tabanan, Badung and Denpasar regencies and city. Stocks at other stations should also be strengthened. Bali is supplied by two fuel terminals: Manggis in Karangasem Regency and Sanggaran in Denpasar.

During a meeting with Alam Kanda Winali, a representative of Pertamina’s Bali marketing region, officials said that as of Tuesday morning Sanggaran had 1,200 kilolitres of Pertalite, supported by a fleet of 25–30 fuel tankers.

Manggis had 10,300 kilolitres of Pertalite, with 72 tankers working to distribute the fuel to petrol stations.

There are 104 petrol stations in Denpasar, Badung and Tabanan.

Around 3,000 kilolitres of Pertalite are scheduled to arrive at Sanggaran on Thursday (15 October), followed by between 22,000 and 26,000 kilolitres at Manggis on Saturday (17 October).

Meanwhile, Bali Governor Wayan Koster met Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri at Sanggaran fuel terminal in Denpasar on Tuesday afternoon to discuss speeding up fuel distribution across Bali.

Simon said the long queues were caused by delays resulting from problems with a ship during the fuel-unloading process. He apologised to Bali residents for the limited supplies, which had led to long queues over the past few days.