Weak Controls Fail to Stem Fuel Migration

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A yellow banner stretched across the roof of the KM 7 Sukarami Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU) in Palembang, South Sumatra. It read: “Watch out! Anyone caught repeatedly lining up to buy fuel for resale could face six years in prison and a Rp60 billion fine under the Oil and Gas Law!” The warning was intended to remind motorists not to repeatedly purchase subsidized fuel for resale.

According to an employee at the station, the banner had been installed to prevent the misuse of subsidized Pertalite and diesel. Customers, the employee said, were urged to purchase fuel only according to their needs and not to make repeated purchases using the same or different vehicles for stockpiling or resale. “We urge the public not to engage in fuel reselling,” the employee said on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

At the station, long lines of motorcycles and cars could still be seen in the Pertalite lane. Similar scenes were visible at several other gas stations across Palembang. But based on Tempo’s observations, the queues no longer stretched outside station grounds as they had several weeks earlier. At the KM 7 Sukarami station, another yellow sign listed the rules for diesel buyers. Drivers were prohibited from lining up before 8:30pm, while diesel distribution was scheduled from 9pm to 5am Western Indonesian Time.

Although the queues have begun to ease, many residents remain anxious. Sandhy, a Pertalite user, said he now always fills his fuel tank to capacity. Months of enduring long lines have changed his refueling habits. “Now, whenever it’s finally my turn, I fill the tank completely so I don’t have to queue again anytime soon,” he said.

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