Bali Fuel Shortages Trigger Panic Buying and Massive Queues Across Resort Island

The Indonesian resort island of Bali is currently grappling with severe fuel supply disruptions, leading to chaotic scenes at petrol stations across the region. Motorists have been forced to endure hours-long waits in sweltering heat, with queues of motorcycles and cars spilling onto major roads, causing significant traffic congestion and public frustration. The crisis has been exacerbated by widespread panic buying, which has placed immense pressure on the availability of subsidized Pertalite petrol.

State-owned energy company Pertamina has attributed the supply bottleneck to a combination of logistical failures, specifically citing an anchor issue on a fuel tanker that delayed unloading processes. Furthermore, heavy road congestion has hindered the timely distribution of fuel from storage depots to local stations. One resident in Denpasar reported waiting approximately seven hours to secure fuel, highlighting the severity of the localized shortage despite official assurances that island-wide stocks remain sufficient.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has issued a public appeal for calm, urging residents to refrain from panic buying while emphasizing that fuel reserves are adequate to meet demand. In response to the crisis, Pertamina has implemented emergency measures, including 24-hour operations at 60 petrol stations in Denpasar to expedite distribution. The company is working to normalize the supply chain as quickly as possible to alleviate the strain on the island's infrastructure and restore order to the fuel market.

Looking ahead, Pertamina has confirmed that an additional 57.9 million litres of petrol are scheduled for delivery to Bali between October 14 and October 17. These around-the-clock deliveries are intended to stabilize the market and clear the persistent queues that have plagued the island since the disruption began. While officials remain optimistic that the situation will resolve within days, the incident underscores the fragility of fuel distribution networks in high-traffic tourist destinations during unexpected logistical delays.