DENPASAR, BALINEWS – Long queues at fuel stations across Bali continued for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday (October 15, 2026), as motorists struggled to obtain subsidized Pertalite and non-subsidized Pertamax. Amid the ongoing shortages, reports emerged of gasoline being sold in 1.5-liter bottles for as much as Rp200,000, prompting the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Online Journalists Association (IWO) to urge Pertamina to investigate suspected irregularities in fuel distribution.
Field observations showed long lines of vehicles at several public fuel stations (SPBUs) across Denpasar, including those in the Hayam Wuruk, Renon, Marlboro, Sesetan, Sidakarya, Ahmad Yani, Gatot Subroto Tengah, Ubung, and East Denpasar areas. Similar conditions were reported in South Kuta, Badung Regency, where queues also contributed to traffic congestion on several roads.
According to the Bali chapter of IWO, some motorists chose not to queue because of the long waiting times and difficulty obtaining fuel. Meanwhile, reports of gasoline being sold at exceptionally high prices through informal retail channels have added to public concern.
Tri Widiyanti, chairwoman of the Bali Regional Board of IWO, suspects that certain individuals may be purchasing fuel repeatedly and reselling it at significantly higher prices. She said the alleged practice could further aggravate the situation as residents struggle to secure fuel for their daily needs.
“Some individuals are suspected of buying fuel repeatedly, with some reportedly making as many as three purchases. Why? Because they can resell it at exorbitant prices. In Canggu, we received reports that a 1.5-liter bottle of gasoline was being sold for between Rp150,000 and Rp200,000. There were even reports of fuel being offered on online marketplaces for as much as Rp500,000. This is outrageous,” Tri said in Denpasar on Thursday.
Tri, who is commonly known as Widy, said the allegations of repeated purchases for resale should be investigated to determine whether such activities have contributed to the limited availability of fuel for the public.
IWO Raises Concerns over Alleged Involvement of Fuel Station Personnel
In addition to suspected repeated purchases for resale, IWO Bali said it had received information suggesting that some fuel station personnel might be involved in supplying fuel to certain parties.
According to Widy, the information alleged that some station employees had supplied relatively large quantities of gasoline to particular businesses or locations whose operators had personal connections with the employees.
“We have received information that some fuel station personnel may be involved in irregular practices. They allegedly supply fairly large quantities of gasoline to certain locations operated by people they know,” said Widy, who is also a journalist with Metrobali.co.id.
However, she stressed that the allegations concerning both individual buyers and fuel station personnel had yet to be independently verified. Further investigation is needed to establish whether any violations occurred in fuel purchases or distribution.
IWO Bali has urged state-owned energy company PT Pertamina (Persero) to investigate the allegations, including the possibility that fuel may have been distributed outside established procedures.
“We hope Pertamina will investigate whether any fuel station personnel are involved in irregular practices. We are already suffering from this situation, so how can anyone take advantage of the fuel shortage to make personal profits?” Widy said.
She added that tighter supervision of fuel distribution was necessary to ensure that available supplies reached the public fairly and were not exploited for private gain.
As of publication, the allegations of repeated fuel purchases, excessively priced bottled gasoline, and possible involvement by fuel station personnel had not been independently verified. Confirmation from Pertamina and the relevant authorities is needed to establish the facts and clarify the causes of the persistent queues at fuel stations across Bali.
