North Sumatra Governor Gives Pertamina Two Days to Resolve Fuel Distribution Crisis

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has instructed PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumatera Utara (Sumbagut) to resolve fuel distribution issues within two days. Speaking after a coordination meeting in Medan, the governor stated that the scarcity of fuel at public petrol stations was not due to a lack of supply, but rather a shortage of tanker drivers. “The problem is not that fuel is scarce. What is scarce, they say, are the drivers who deliver the fuel. This must be resolved in two days,” Bobby said. The disruption has caused shortages at numerous petrol stations across the province. The governor noted that the core issue lies in the distribution from Pertamina’s depot to the stations, following what he described as a mass walkout of tanker drivers that prevented the fleet from operating normally. To address the situation, the North Sumatra Provincial Government has coordinated with Pertamina, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the National Police to ensure distribution returns to normal. The governor confirmed that military and police personnel are on standby to assist with driving and securing the tanker fleet if required. “Starting tonight, we have asked the TNI and Polri teams to be ready. We are just waiting for Pertamina to inform us how many personnel are needed to help with distribution,” he said. He stressed that the provincial government is ready to provide support to prevent the disruption from affecting public activities and the regional economy. Regarding the driver walkout, the governor stated that recruitment and termination are internal matters for Pertamina, but insisted that the internal issue must not impact the people of North Sumatra. He assured that fuel stocks at the Medan Fuel Terminal remain sufficient to meet public demand. Dedi Jaminsyah Putra Harahap, Head of the Provincial Industry, Trade, Energy, and Mineral Resources Office, confirmed that Pertamina is committed to normalising distribution as quickly as possible. Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut has added 15 tanker trucks and 30 additional crew members to support the smooth distribution of fuel from the Medan Fuel Terminal to petrol stations across North Sumatra.