Pertalite Shortage in Amfoang: Farmers Unable to Thresh Rice, Students Skip School
Residents in the Amfoang region of Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have complained about the shortage of Pertalite fuel that has persisted since last week. This situation is impacting farming activities as well as students’ schooling.
Victor Imanuel Manoh, a resident of Afoan Village in North Amfoang Subdistrict, said the fuel shortage is making it difficult for farmers to thresh rice using machines after the harvest.
“Here, Pertalite is no longer available. We who have finished harvesting cannot thresh the rice. The government must take responsibility,” Victor said when contacted by detikBali on Tuesday (12/5/2026).
In addition, Victor stated that students and residents travelling to school and gardens are also facing obstacles. Even some students have chosen not to attend school due to the shortage.
According to Victor, out of the six subdistricts in Amfoang—Southwest Amfoang, Northwest Amfoang, North Amfoang, East Amfoang, Central Amfoang, and South Amfoang—there is only one petrol station in Lelogama Ward, South Amfoang Subdistrict. This does not meet the community’s needs for fuel access.
On the other hand, the fuel supply for Amfoang residents has so far come from Kupang City. Residents often entrust 20-35 litre jerrycans to buses to be filled with fuel.
Subsequent distribution is purely for farmers to thresh rice and sold retail. Then to fishermen for catching fish for household needs.
“So farmers are struggling. We usually go to the gardens by motorbike, but because there is no fuel, we just park them. Students whose homes are far from school are also choosing not to attend,” Victor explained.
He said the main problem faced by Amfoang residents every year is the infrastructure of roads and bridges that are completely cut off and severely damaged. Such as the Termanu and Kapsali bridges in Southwest Amfoang Subdistrict.
Furthermore, the central arterial road through the slopes of Mount Timau in Central Amfoang Subdistrict is also severely damaged. This causes residents difficulty in travelling to Kupang City.
“Starting from the cut-off roads and bridges, we Amfoang residents are isolated. We can get to Kupang but often we have to transit because the roads are damaged and buses cannot pass. So our belongings are relayed across before boarding the bus again,” Victor clarified.
The Head of North Amfoang Subdistrict, Hendra Mooy, added that the last fuel stock in his area was depleted since Friday (8/5/2026). However, he could not yet confirm the selling price of fuel in North Amfoang.
“Indeed, the stock is exhausted, so we have coordinated with the North Amfoang Police Sector to report to the Kupang Police Resort regarding the fuel shortage in the coastal Amfoang area. Then we are coordinating so that buses heading to Amfoang carrying fuel are not held up because they all belong to the community,” Hendra said.
According to Hendra, his residents are very struggling to go to sea and thresh rice due to the fuel shortage. By regulation, Hendra said, fuel for farmers and fishermen can be obtained based on recommendation letters from villages/wards.
“The main issue is the severely poor road access. So we will coordinate with all relevant parties regarding this matter,” Hendra said.
The Head of Soliu Village in Northwest Amfoang Subdistrict, Markus Akulas, echoed the same sentiment. He said his residents are very struggling to obtain Pertalite. The impact is that residents who want to mill rice, thresh rice, and pump water to fields using water pumps cannot do so.
“Of course, we are facing great difficulties. Here, fuel is no longer available. The last time I checked, the retail selling price per litre had reached Rp18-20 thousand,” Markus said.
“That stock is also very limited. Yesterday, I wanted to buy just to fill my motorbike, but it was already gone. If it’s like this, then farmers’ activities are definitely hampered,” Markus added.
He hopes the government will soon build a petrol station, either in Northwest Amfoang Subdistrict or North Amfoang, to meet the community’s fuel access needs.
“Oh, that is very possible for the construction of a petrol station so we don’t have to struggle to find fuel anymore,” Markus concluded.