Rachmat Gobel: Bahlil's Statement on Domestic Fuel Stock as a Form of Public Transparency

Rachmat Gobel, a member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, joined the discussion following Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia’s remark that domestic fuel stock is only enough for 21 days. The minister’s statement about national fuel reserves sparked public concern, prompting Gobel to frame it as a form of government transparency regarding the condition of national energy reserves. He stressed that such transparency is important for building public trust and for educational purposes for both the government and the public.

“We must be open to the public about the conditions that exist. At the same time, the public also needs to be guided to respond to this situation wisely, for example by starting to economise on energy use,” Gobel said in a statement on Saturday (7 March). As a NasDem faction politician, Gobel noted that conflicts in the Middle East — including the tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States — have raised concerns about global energy supply stability, affecting oil, gas, and electricity. Yet he argued the moment also provides an opportunity for the government and stakeholders to reinforce the national energy resilience system going forward, including taking other strategic steps to address the situation.

“The most important thing, in my view, is that the government, including PLN and Pertamina, must take strategic steps. This is an important learning experience for us to see what is still lacking and what homework must be addressed immediately,” the Gorontalo-born politician emphasised. He identified one of the urgent tasks as accelerating investment in the energy sector, particularly in energy-processing capabilities such as refineries and the development of new and renewable energy. Gobel argued that the government needs to create a conducive investment climate so that various strategic energy projects can move forward more quickly.

In addition to urging prudence and energy conservation, Gobel asked the public not to engage in panic buying or hoarding of BBM. He said such behaviour would exacerbate the situation on the ground. “Education is needed not only from the government but from all segments of the nation to the public to avoid panic buying by making excessive purchases or even hoarding BBM, which would worsen conditions,” he said. “Once again, this is a lesson for all of us. As a large country, we must strengthen our energy system to be more resilient and not easily swayed by global dynamics,” he concluded.

(Background) The government is negotiating to release two Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) tankers still in the Hormuz Strait region. Authorities are also planning a new storage facility to bolster energy resilience with a target of three months’ reserves. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the government would consider imports of bioethanol from the United States to address domestic shortages. The current national BBM stock is viewed as around 20–21 days and is considered adequate under normal conditions, reducing the need for panic buying. Core Executive Director Mohammad Faisal urged the public not to panic buy as geopolitical tensions rise. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reaffirmed that national BBM stocks are safe and that subsidised prices remain stable amid the Middle East conflict. Other notes include Pertamina’s assertion that it had prepared BBM and LPG stocks well in advance of tensions between Israel and the United States against Iran. The government is urged to maintain energy supply stability and price stability across the country.