Strike results in fuel shortage, blackouts in Aceh
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): A massive solidarity strike involving truck drivers and state oil company Pertamina workers has resulted in fuel supply shortages and power outages in restive Aceh.
Banda Aceh capital, along with Aceh Besar, Pidie and West Aceh regencies, has had power outages from Monday night up to Tuesday due to a lack of fuel supplies.
"In West Aceh the state electricity company PLN has introduced rotating blackouts in several areas," a local resident said.
The strike has paralyzed fuel deliveries from Malahayati Port in Krueng Raya to Banda Aceh, about 32 kilometers from the port.
Long lines of vehicles queuing at several gas stations were seen in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar on Tuesday afternoon.
Premium, usually sold for Rp 1,150 per liter, cost between Rp 2,500 and Rp 3,000 per liter at kiosks, while in remote areas it can sell for Rp 5,000.
"The truckers say they want to show solidarity with fellow drivers plying the Banda Aceh-Medan route who are victims of rampant illegal levies charged by some police and military officers," a local journalist said.
But some of the drivers at Malahayati Port said that they were not on strike.
"What's the point of driving to Malahayati Port if we can't deliver the fuel? It is the Pertamina workers who refuse to load the fuel to be transported," a truck driver said.
It is not clear why Pertamina workers are refusing to load the fuel, but Pertamina has reported that it has enough stock to supply Aceh, which is about 30,000 tons. Aceh only needs about 135 tons fuel per day.
A deputy spokesman for operation Cinta Meunasah, which is aimed to restore peace and order in Aceh, Adj. Sr. Comr. Yatim Suyatmo, said that both the police and the military were ready to deploy trucks and escort the fuel trucks.
"If necessary, police/military personnel will help drive the trucks," he said.
"We believe that Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels are behind this action since there are reports that the drivers and the workers have been threatened by certain parties to strike," Yatim said on Tuesday.
The officer urged the drivers to work as usual as the Aceh Police chief had stated that stern action would be taken against all police/military personnel who collect illegal levies along the Banda Aceh-Medan route.
After a meeting between Aceh Deputy Governor Azwar Abubakar and Pertamina representatives in Banda Aceh later in the day, the transportation of fuel gradually resumed to normal late on Tuesday.
"We hope the situation will return to normal on Wednesday. People are suffering since all activities related to electricity are halted. We also lack water," a local resident said.
A truck driver who asked not to be named said that on every trip, a truck driver paid Rp 1 million in illegal levies at dozens of posts along the Banda Aceh-Medan route.
"Truck owners don't want to know about our problems, but many times we have to pay the levies ourselves ... not to mention sometimes we get hit by officers if we refuse to give them money," he said.
Aceh Police chief Brig. Gen. Chaerul Rasyid has threatened to fire police personnel found guilty of collecting illegal fees.
It has been reported that most of the defiant officers come from outside Aceh and are stationed along the restive regencies along the Banda Aceh-Medan route. (edt/50)