Bali Fuel Shortage Causes Kilometer-Long Queues and Traffic Chaos
Governor I Wayan Koster and Pertamina are implementing 24-hour distribution to resolve a severe gasoline shortage causing widespread chaos across Bali.
A severe gasoline shortage has triggered widespread chaos across Bali, Indonesia, resulting in fuel queues stretching up to one kilometer in Denpasar, Kuta, Badung, Jembrana, and Tabana. The crisis led to the closure of some gas stations and the emergence of street vendors selling fuel in plastic bottles in Ubud. In Badung, the situation escalated when a woman collapsed from exhaustion while waiting at the Latu gas station.
I Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali, attributed the shortage to a combination of panic buying and delivery trucks becoming trapped in the resulting traffic congestion. Simon Aloysius Mantiri, president director of state-owned Pertamina, further explained that distribution delays occurred after a tanker encountered trouble discharging its cargo. Pertamina Patra Niaga reported that Pertalite consumption surged to approximately 2,200 kiloliters per day.
To stabilize the situation, authorities implemented 24-hour operations at fuel stations in Denpasar and Badung, with depot deliveries now running around the clock. Governor Koster confirmed that a tanker carrying over 22 million liters of fuel arrived on Tuesday, which is expected to meet demand for seven days. Three total shipments totaling 26,200 kiloliters are scheduled for October 12, 14, and 16 to fully resolve the shortage.
