Palembang short of fuel

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, has experienced fuel shortages over the last two weeks.

Cars were seen lining up for more than one kilometer, just to enter gas stations along Jl. Veteran and Jl. Demang Lebar Daun.

Some other gas stations have already closed down as they have run out of fuel.

Syarif, who works at a gas station, said the scarcity of fuel was because Pertamina had reduced its supply. "We should get 15 tons of premium based on our quota, but Pertamina only supplied 10 tons, Syarif said. He added that he had no idea what made Pertamina decrease the supply.

Meanwhile, Idris Kadir, spokesman for Pertamina's Marketing and Supply Unit in Palembang said that fuel demand had risen by between five percent and ten percent. --JP