Price of 12 kg LPG in Labuan Bajo hits Rp500,000
Prices for 12-kilogram LPG cylinders in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have surged to Rp500,000 per cylinder, due to a shortage of non-subsidised gas.
Hotel and restaurant operators in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, including Matheus Saniang Naga Siagian, say LPG stock there has run dry. They have been forced to buy LPG at Rp500,000 from Reo, Manggarai, since last week, pushing up costs.
“Added transport costs to Reo and back,” Matheus said on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
He noted the price jump from before the shortage. Previously, he bought 12 kg LPG in Labuan Bajo for Rp185,000.
He said the severe LPG shortage in Labuan Bajo had been going on for about two weeks. He has had to buy LPG as far as Ende Regency and Bima, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Matheus, who runs a pizza business in Labuan Bajo, uses up to two LPG cylinders a day. At that time, he said, there was no LPG stock in Labuan Bajo.
“I sell pizzas, so the oven is on constantly. I go through one to two gas cylinders per day,” Matheus said.
He said LPG has begun to be available again in Labuan Bajo. Thousands of new cylinders have entered the destination, a super-priority tourist area.
Matheus hopes that in future someone will be tasked with controlling LPG distribution, including other needs such as fuel (BBM) and other essential commodities, to anticipate shortages.
“Hopefully in the future there will be someone assigned to monitor LPG, BBM, rice, and other essential goods so that shortages can be anticipated,” he concluded.
Area Manager Communications, Relations & CSR Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus Ahad Rahedi said the company had received complaints from the public about the jump in price of non-subsidised LPG in Labuan Bajo.
“In response to the complaints, Pertamina Patra Niaga is conducting supply checks and field distribution issues, including further mitigation,” Ahad said.
He emphasised Pertamina’s commitment to ensuring LPG supplies and distribution in Labuan Bajo. “LPG supply to Labuan Bajo is currently still supplied from Surabaya City, same as other areas in NTT,” said Ahad.
“Early in May, following a directive from the Police Headquarters, enforcement and supervision of potential LPG misuse were carried out, including checks on expedition transport. This led to container loading difficulties at Surabaya Port for 4-5 days due to enforcement by East Java Police (Polda Jatim),” he continued.
“As a further mitigation, Ahad said Pertamina has pushed to speed up LPG supply to all NTT regions, including Labuan Bajo. In addition to accelerating supply, Pertamina has already scheduled meetings with local government and official agents regarding the setting of lower and upper price limits for non-subsidised LPG.”
“With these mitigations and precautions, it is hoped to meet the LPG needs of Labuan Bajo residents,” Ahad said.
He urged the public to purchase from Pertamina-appointed agents or outlets as an extension of the agent to obtain prices that are certainly more affordable than buying at retailers.
“Pertamina has coordinated with Agents to serve outlets and the public in accordance with the rules and fair selling prices. Pertamina continues to strive to maintain LPG stock resilience so that supplies are available and to coordinate with relevant parties to ensure timely distribution and constant availability for the public,” Ahad concluded.
(dpw/dpw)