DENPASAR, BALINEWS – Tri Widiyanti, chairwoman of the Bali Regional Board of the Indonesian Online Journalists Association (PW IWO Bali), has called on the government and shareholders of state-owned energy company PT Pertamina (Persero) to review the leadership of President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri amid fuel supply shortages in Bali that she says have disrupted public activities. She said his removal should be considered if an evaluation finds that he has failed to ensure adequate fuel supplies and distribution.
The demand was made in an official statement issued in Denpasar on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Widiyanti, commonly known as Widy, argued that the situation could not be resolved simply by statements assuring the public that fuel stocks were available and distribution was running smoothly.
“The issue of fuel shortages in Bali cannot be resolved merely by statements that stocks are available and distribution is running smoothly. People need fuel, not just promises and explanations. If the problem continues, causing long queues and disrupting economic activities, who should be held accountable?” Widy said.
According to her, Pertamina’s president director, as the company’s chief executive responsible for fuel management and distribution, must be accountable to the public. She stressed that leadership of a state-owned enterprise involves not only authority but also responsibility for ensuring that essential public needs are met.
“IWO Bali therefore urges the government and shareholders to seriously evaluate Pertamina’s leadership. If he is found to have failed to ensure that fuel supplies and distribution operate as they should, removal from office must be firmly considered as a consequence,” she said.
Widy said residents of Bali should not have to continue bearing the consequences of fuel distribution problems. In her view, long queues at gas stations are not merely a technical issue but also affect people’s time, expenses, productivity and access to essential energy services.
She noted that fuel supply disruptions could affect a wide range of groups, including workers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), transportation drivers and journalists who depend on mobility to carry out their daily duties.
The situation could also have broader implications for Bali’s tourism industry and economic activities, she added.
“People should not be forced to queue for hours while those in positions of authority issue statements that fail to address the problems on the ground. The public has the right to transparent explanations, certainty of supply and practical solutions,” said Widy, who is also a journalist at Metrobali.co.id.
IWO Bali Demands Transparency on Fuel Stocks and Distribution
In addition to calling for an evaluation of Pertamina’s president director, IWO Bali has urged the company to disclose detailed information about fuel stocks across Bali, actual distribution volumes in each area, the causes of the supply disruptions, and concrete recovery measures, including a clear timeline for restoring normal service.
The organization has also called on the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the fuel distribution chain and investigate any suspected irregularities if sufficient evidence emerges. Widy said any alleged violations must be examined objectively and handled in accordance with applicable laws.
She emphasized that the effectiveness of the response should be measured by conditions on the ground, including fuel availability at gas stations, shorter queues and the return of normal public activities.
“Do not stop at press conferences and appeals to the public. Measure success by what is actually happening on the ground: whether fuel is available, whether queues have eased and whether people can resume their normal activities. Pertamina’s president director must be accountable to the public. If an evaluation establishes that he has failed to fulfill his responsibilities, we urge that he be removed,” Widy said.
As of the issuance of the statement, the demand for Mantiri’s removal represents IWO Bali’s position. Any decision concerning Pertamina’s leadership, as well as the underlying causes of the fuel supply disruptions, would require further evaluation based on verifiable data and findings.
