One Day Before Eid al-Fitr 2026, Subsidised Fuel Runs Out at Several Petrol Stations in Pidie, Disappointing Travellers on the National Route from Banda Aceh to Medan
A day before Eid al-Fitr 1447 H/2026 AD, on Friday (20/3), the availability of subsidised fuel oil (BBM) type Pertalite was scarce along the National Route from Banda Aceh to Medan. The fuel crisis for motorcycles and cars specifically occurred in the Pidie Regency area, Aceh Province.
From observations by Media Indonesia on Friday in the early hours before suhoor around 03:00 WIB until approaching noon, holiday travellers entering petrol stations to fill up with Pertalite were forced to leave empty-handed. Filling station attendants only waved their hands signalling that the subsidised fuel was out.
“As soon as we entered the petrol station, there were no attendants at the Pertalite pump. Then the attendants at other pumps signalled that Pertalite was empty,” said Muslim, a motorcycle-riding holiday traveller.
Several Pertamina-controlled fuel service providers along the national route through Pidie Regency that were out of Pertalite included the Pulo Pisang and Bambi petrol stations. Both locations are on the outskirts of Sigli, the capital of Pidie Regency, Aceh.
This unfriendly condition regarding public services has invited disappointment and anxiety among the community and holiday travellers. This is because traffic movement on the second day of mameugang (a tradition of eating vegetables or meat dishes) was quite high. Moreover, it is the main and busy route connecting Banda Aceh to various regencies/cities in the northern, eastern regions, and even other provinces.
The busyness on H-1 of Eid al-Fitr Lebaran is the most sacred for the people of Aceh and thousands of local route holiday travellers. They want to shop for mameugang meat needs, buy Eid clothes, and various necessities ahead of the holiday.
For holiday travellers in the Woe U Gampoeng tradition (returning to the village), they only have limited time to reach their birthplace. Especially expatriates who want to give alms and bring home mameugang meat for relatives in their hometown.
Rector of Batam University (UNIBA), who is also a native of Aceh society, Professor Samsul Rizal, through Media Indonesia previously stated that Pertamina needs to streamline fuel supply to Aceh. The most important is the type of subsidised fuel to meet the needs of the lower-class community.
That was said by Prof Samsul about two weeks ago, precisely when residents panic-bought two weeks ago due to issues of limited national fuel stocks related to the influence of the US-Israel vs Iran conflict.
“It must be smooth and controlled, do not let there be deviations or hoarding by certain parties. If necessary, increase the supply quota for petrol stations,” said the former Rector of Syiah Kuala University (USK) Banda Aceh for two terms.
According to Prof Samsul, the people of Aceh at the end of November 2025 experienced a long fuel crisis due to the major Sumatra flood disaster, causing activities in that region to be paralysed. Due to that bad experience, the people in the Verandah of Mecca, especially in the major flood areas, now easily relive past trauma.
“This is very dangerous and can affect economic turmoil and a crisis of trust,” added the professor who was once an exemplary lecturer at USK Aceh.