Motorists across parts of Bali are facing lengthy queues at petrol stations, with some drivers spending hours trying to fill their tanks amid fuel shortages.
Long lines have formed at petrol stations across Denpasar and southern Badung, including Kuta, as supplies of fuel products Pertalite and, at some locations, Pertamax become increasingly difficult to find.
Some queues have stretched beyond station entrances and onto surrounding roads, while motorists have reported visiting multiple service stations only to find fuel stocks exhausted.
One resident said the shortage had forced his wife to queue before dawn.
“This morning, my wife lined up at 4.30am and waited for two-and-a-half hours before finally being able to refuel. It’s crazy,” he said.
At a service station on Jalan Raya Sesetan in Denpasar, motorists waiting were told Pertalite stocks had run out. Similar scenes were reported across other parts of Denpasar and Kuta.
Ida Bagus Setiawan, head of Bali’s Manpower and Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, said authorities last week were working with fuel supplier Pertamina and distributors to restore normal supply.
“Technically, we have been informed that there has been a diversion involving the Pesanggaran depot and Manggis Transit Terminal. It is currently being restored gradually,” he said.
Setiawan said officials were still waiting for more detailed information about the cause of the distribution disruption and its broader impact on fuel availability.
The shortages follow similar disruptions in late August, when fuel supply issues also led to long queues at service stations across parts of Bali.
Authorities say fuel distribution is being progressively restored, but availability continues to vary between location