Fearing that the Middle East conflict may impact fuel supply, residents in Central Aceh (Aceh Tengah), Indonesia, flocked to gas stations on Thursday, bringing plastic containers to buy and hoard fuel (gasoline and diesel).
Panic spread as people, worried about price increases or a shortage of stock, queued at local gas stations from early in the morning.
According to widely circulated videos online, large crowds could be seen carrying plastic containers of various sizes, purchasing fuel in bulk from gas stations.
It is believed that public concerns stem from the surge in international oil prices and news reports of a possible supply disruption due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Mustafa Kamal, Head of the Central Aceh Communications and Information Office, emphasized that the region’s fuel reserves remain sufficient.
According to data from Indonesia’s state-owned oil company (PT Pertamina), the Lhokseumawe fuel depot, which supplies Central Aceh, currently holds 1.3 million liters of Pertamax gasoline, 4.3 million liters of Pertalite gasoline, and 2.3 million liters of diesel.
Additionally, a tanker carrying extra supplies is expected to arrive on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.
"God willing, current fuel reserves are at a safe level. We urge the public not to panic-buy, as fuel will continue to be distributed to Central Aceh daily as usual," Mustafa Kamal explained.
The same phenomenon was observed in Bener Meriah, where local residents were also spotted carrying plastic containers of various sizes to stock up on fuel.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, had delivered assurances, guaranteeing the country’s fuel supply remains stable and that existing reserves are sufficient to meet domestic needs for the next 20 days.
According to widely circulated videos online, large crowds could be seen carrying plastic containers of various sizes, purchasing fuel in bulk from gas stations.
It is believed that public concerns stem from the surge in international oil prices and news reports of a possible supply disruption due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Mustafa Kamal, Head of the Central Aceh Communications and Information Office, emphasized that the region’s fuel reserves remain sufficient.
According to data from Indonesia’s state-owned oil company (PT Pertamina), the Lhokseumawe fuel depot, which supplies Central Aceh, currently holds 1.3 million liters of Pertamax gasoline, 4.3 million liters of Pertalite gasoline, and 2.3 million liters of diesel.
Additionally, a tanker carrying extra supplies is expected to arrive on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.
"God willing, current fuel reserves are at a safe level. We urge the public not to panic-buy, as fuel will continue to be distributed to Central Aceh daily as usual," Mustafa Kamal explained.
The same phenomenon was observed in Bener Meriah, where local residents were also spotted carrying plastic containers of various sizes to stock up on fuel.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, had delivered assurances, guaranteeing the country’s fuel supply remains stable and that existing reserves are sufficient to meet domestic needs for the next 20 days.