Pertamina blames driver fraud for long fuel queues in North Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chief Executive of PT Pertamina (Persero) Oki Muraza has explained that the long queues for fuel purchases in North Sumatra were caused by “fraud” committed by tanker truck drivers.

“In North Sumatra, the obstacle was indeed reports of fraud. Fraud by the driver,” Oki said after attending the opening of the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit & Exhibition 2026 held in Jakarta on Tuesday.

In response to the incident, Oki said Pertamina had issued warnings and taken firm action against those committing fraud.

However, Oki denied that Pertamina had carried out mass layoffs in connection with the fraud committed by the fuel tanker drivers.

“There were no mass dismissals there. We only punished the drivers who did indeed fail to comply with the rules,” Oki said.

He continued that Pertamina has now received support from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and fuel distribution has become smoother.

Also present at the occasion, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said Indonesia’s fuel reserves were above the national minimum standard.

The long fuel queues in North Sumatra, he continued, were caused by the drivers and fell entirely under the authority of Pertamina Patra Niaga.

“In terms of our fuel needs, our reserves are above the national minimum standard. It’s safe. Yesterday’s problem was the drivers, but that is Pertamina’s business,” Bahlil said.

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has accelerated the normalisation of fuel distribution in North Sumatra by operating terminals and petrol stations around the clock.

A number of petrol stations in affected areas of Medan, North Sumatra, have also been operated 24 hours so that the public can continue to obtain fuel more easily.

The strengthening of tanker truck crews (AMT) by Elnusa Petrofin as the transport partner is also being carried out through cooperation with the TNI Logistics Corps to support smooth distribution operations.

Pertamina Patra Niaga is committed to maintaining the reliability of fuel distribution by ensuring all operational processes run in accordance with established standards.