Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11:08 AM UTC

Minister Bahlil targets illegal resale amid fuel supply disruptions

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Putu Indah, Tegar Nurfitra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia has asked National Police (Polri) Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto to crack down on the illegal resale of subsidized fuel amid ongoing supply disruptions.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta on Friday, he said he had urged the Polri chief to take legal action against individuals found hoarding subsidized fuel and reselling it at industrial prices.

Also serving as energy and mineral resources minister, Bahlil emphasized that such practices constitute an abuse of state-funded subsidies and may have contributed to the long queues at fuel stations in recent days.

As an example, he pointed to a case in Makassar, South Sulawesi, where vehicle fuel tanks had allegedly been modified to increase their capacity for stockpiling fuel for resale.

However, he declined to speculate on whether a similar scheme was behind the viral queues in Bali, saying law enforcement authorities would disclose further details.

State-owned oil and gas company Pertamina responded to the situation in Bali by urging the public not to misuse subsidized fuel, while assuring residents that measures had been taken to normalize fuel distribution across the province.

Pertamina Patra Niaga Vice President for Corporate Communication Kitty Andhora said the company had been working to accelerate fuel deliveries and restore normal services.

Calling for public participation, she encouraged residents to report suspected misuse of subsidized fuel through the Pertamina Contact Center at 135. Reports should include supporting information, such as photographs of the vehicles involved and their license plate numbers, to facilitate follow-up action.

Under Article 55 of Indonesia's 2001 Oil and Natural Gas Law, fuel subsidy violations are punishable by up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp60 billion (approximately US$3.3 million).

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