North Sumatra Fuel Crisis: Police Deployed as Tanker Drivers
The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) have become directly involved in handling the fuel crisis affecting their jurisdiction, particularly Medan and its surroundings. In addition to providing security, police personnel have been deployed to serve as tanker truck drivers.
Head of Operations for North Sumatra Police, Senior Commissioner Dwi Tunggal Jaladri, stated that this measure was taken following a coordination meeting with Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut. The distribution of fuel has been hampered partly due to a reduced number of tanker crew members.
“We have prepared 10 police personnel who have special qualifications and training to serve as temporary replacement tanker truck drivers. This step was taken so that distribution can continue and the community’s needs are met,” he said on Thursday.
According to Dwi, the assigned personnel are not just capable of driving but have been equipped with standard operating procedures for energy distribution safety. He noted that this expertise had been prepared since the handling of natural disasters in the Tapanuli region in 2025.
In addition to operating tanker trucks, the North Sumatra Police have deployed 786 personnel to maintain security and manage traffic at 325 petrol stations across North Sumatra. The main focus is preventing congestion caused by vehicle queues spilling onto the road.
Medan City Police Chief Senior Commissioner Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak stated that distribution security is also being carried out with strict escorting of fleets from the Pertamina Depot to petrol stations. “Currently, there are eleven tanker trucks being escorted by police from the Depot to petrol stations in Medan and other areas such as Sidikalang,” he said.
Head of Public Relations for North Sumatra Police, Senior Commissioner Ferry Walintukan, appealed to the public not to panic or engage in panic buying of fuel. He assured that fuel stocks in North Sumatra are sufficient. “The obstacle is purely an internal distribution issue at Pertamina regarding the shortage of tanker crew and it is gradually being resolved,” he explained.
North Sumatra Police are committed to continuing to oversee the distribution process until the fuel supply situation on the ground returns completely to normal. The public is urged to remain calm and purchase fuel according to their needs.