PKB Working Group Urges Pertamina to Explain Indonesia's 20-Day Fuel Reserves

Chair of PKB’s Kapoksi in Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rivqy Abdul Halim, highlighted reports that Indonesia’s fuel reserves are sufficient for about 20 days amid the escalating Middle East conflict following American and Israeli actions against Iran. Rivqy asked Pertamina to provide a comprehensive explanation so that the public does not panic.

“The impact of this statement, in several areas, has actually caused excessive panic among the public. Many SPBU are seeing long lines and people scrambling for fuel,” Rivqy told reporters on Saturday (6 March 2026).

Rivqy explained that Indonesia’s fuel reserve system is fundamentally dependent on the government’s and Pertamina’s ability to provide funds and storage facilities. He said the assertion that Indonesia’s fuel reserves would run out within a certain period cannot be interpreted in a simplistic way.

“To my understanding, our reserve capacity indeed depends on the ability to fund and store. So that statement cannot be interpreted simply as if our fuel reserves will run out within a certain time,” he said.

He argued that Pertamina, as the main operator of national energy distribution, must provide a more comprehensive explanation to the public about the availability of fuel in Indonesia. He added that this is important so the public does not worry and thus avoid panic buying.

“I hope Pertamina will also explain to the public to prevent this panic from developing and not to trigger horizontal conflict that harms the wider public,” he said.

Earlier, several residents in Aceh were seen rushing to buy fuel carrying jerrycans. Queues stretched along the streets.

According to detikSumut, Friday (6/3), a video of the queue in Aceh Tengah went viral on social media. Residents visited SPBU and Pertashop carrying jerrycans of various sizes.

Not only at SPBU, residents also bought large quantities of fuel from retailers. On average, people put their fuel into jerrycans.

In addition to Aceh Tengah, queues were also observed at five SPBUs in Banda Aceh. The queues involved both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, with vehicles lining up to the roads, causing minor traffic congestion.

(dwr/ygs)