Long lines, closed kiosks and social media rumours stoke anxiety ahead of non‑subsidised fuel hikes.
Residents across Riau are facing long queues and sporadic dry pumps as fuel demand spikes ahead of Pertamina’s latest price hike, exposing jitters in one of Indonesia’s key oil‑producing regions.
Rising Queues Before Price Hike
Reports of shortages began on April 30, just days before Pertamina raised prices for several non‑subsidised fuels, with motorcycles, trucks and cars lining up at almost every gas station. Queues spilled onto main roads and choked traffic as residents rushed to refuel ahead of the hike linked to Middle East conflict and sanctions disrupting global oil markets.
Ground Reality: Empty Kiosks And Late‑Night Refills
In Pekanbaru’s Panam area, kiosk owner Ardi said 100 litres of stock sold out in an hour and his stall stayed shut for two days. Motorist Subhan Sakti described multi‑hour waits for subsidised Pertalite, sometimes until near midnight, saying many drivers preferred enduring heat and queues over paying mark‑ups to roadside vendors that can reach about Rp 14,000 per litre, roughly 40 per cent above official prices.
Public Anxiety And Economic Worries
Resident Dewi Junaita said she joined unusually long lines after social media posts warned of low stocks across the city, noting that buyers of non‑subsidised Pertamax also faced delays. She warned that prolonged supply tightness could push up basic goods prices and questioned why fuel access is so fragile in Riau, an area known as one of Indonesia’s largest oil producers.
Official Assurances And Supply Response
Riau Energy and Mineral Resources Agency head Ismon Diondo Simatupang said his office has coordinated with Pertamina, which insists provincial supplies remain “safe” and urges the public not to hoard or panic buy. Pertamina Patra Niaga spokesperson Fahrougi Andriani Sumampouw said distribution has been raised by up to 20 per cent above normal since Friday to handle long‑weekend mobility, with ongoing monitoring to prevent storage tanks from sitting empty too long.
Police Warnings Against Hoaxes And Hoarding
Riau Police Chief Insp Gen Herry Heryawan urged residents not to be swayed by unverified social media claims of fuel collapse, saying hoaxes fuel panic buying that harms everyone. He encouraged the public to report suspected misuse of subsidised fuel or hoarding via official hotlines so enforcement can keep the situation under control and daily activities running as normally as possible.
The fuel jitters in Riau highlight how price hikes, holiday travel and online rumours can quickly trigger visible strain on petrol stations even when authorities say supply is adequate. For Indonesians, the episode underlines the need for clear communication, targeted distribution and firm action against hoarding; for Singaporeans, it offers a reminder that volatility in nearby resource hubs can ripple through logistics, trade and regional inflation, making coordinated energy planning increasingly important.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Fuel Queues, Pertalite Supply, Non Subsidised Price Hike, Panic Buying, Riau Authorities
