Pertamina Representative Meets Protesters Over Fuel Scarcity in Makassar
Members of the Islamic Students Association (HMI) breached the gates of the PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional IV Sulawesi office in Makassar during a demonstration concerning fuel scarcity.
Representing Pertamina, Mardian, the Retail Sales Manager for Pertamina Regional Sulawesi, met with the protesters directly. He urged the public to remain calm and cautioned against believing unverified information regarding the status of fuel distribution.
According to Mardian, Pertamina is continuously coordinating with various parties and providing updates on fuel distribution conditions to all relevant stakeholders. “We have already communicated our concerns to the policy-making authorities, and some of our requests have been granted,” Mardly stated before the students on Monday (14/9).
Mardian noted that the company is evaluating the odd-even policy by monitoring fuel queues at petrol stations in Makassar. If the situation is deemed safe and controlled, the restrictions will be lifted entirely. “We are monitoring this together. If it is safe, everything will be lifted,” he said.
The odd-even policy remains in effect based on a circular letter until 20 September 2026. Pertamina will conduct periodic evaluations to determine subsequent steps. “We will review it over the next three days. We are observing together; if there is feedback or specific incidents, we will follow up,” he explained.
He added that Pertamina and relevant authorities will continue to monitor queues at petrol stations, ensuring that any issues found in the field are addressed. “We act like firefighters; wherever an incident occurs, we resolve it,” he concluded.
During the protest, which involved both students and labourers, one demonstrator sustained a head injury, allegedly caused by a blow from a baton used by security personnel. The breach occurred when HMI members surged into the Pertamina office courtyard on Monday afternoon. Security forces responded by attempting to push the crowd back, during which an HMI member was reportedly struck.
“We only reached the gate, but suddenly at the gate, security personnel struck one of our members, resulting in an injury,” said Sarah Agussalim, Chairperson of HMI Makassar Branch.
Sarah explained that the HMI protest aimed to demand accountability from PT Pertamina Patra Niaga regarding the fuel scarcity that has caused long queues in Makassar for several days. She also highlighted concerns regarding a circular issued by the South Sulawesi Energy and Mineral Resources Office (ESDM) implementing odd-even restrictions for fuel refills, which she argued has created new complications for the public.