BALINEWSID.COM, MEDAN – A widespread shortage of nearly all types of Pertamina fuel has once again hit several regions across North Sumatra, disrupting public services, economic activities, and the operations of hundreds of gas stations.

The fuel scarcity has affected Medan, Deli Serdang, Binjai, Langkat, Serdang Bedagai, Tebing Tinggi, Asahan, Batu Bara, and Tanjung Balai, forcing motorists to endure long queues while many gas stations remain unable to serve customers due to delayed fuel deliveries.

One of the affected stations was SPBU 14.201.106 on Jalan AH Nasution in Medan, where, at approximately 7:37 a.m. local time on Friday (July 10), display boards showed that Pertalite, Bio Solar, Pertamax, and Pertamina Dex were all “On the Way,” indicating that fuel supplies had not yet arrived.

The shortage also reportedly caused severe traffic congestion along the Langkat–Banda Aceh Highway, where vehicle queues stretched for long distances.

Anto, a resident of Medan Johor, said he had visited several gas stations across the city but was repeatedly told that fuel stocks had either run out or were still in transit.

“The impact is enormous when shortages like this happen. People’s daily activities are severely disrupted,” he said.

He also criticized Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company, for what he described as a lack of responsiveness to recurring fuel supply problems.

“People are already burdened by high fuel prices, and now we have to deal with shortages as well. It’s unacceptable. Nearly 81 years after Indonesia’s independence, we are still facing the same recurring problem,” Anto added.

The latest disruption has renewed criticism from both the public and gas station operators, who questioned why fuel distribution problems continue to occur despite repeated calls for improvements to North Sumatra’s supply system.

During previous distribution disruptions, Pertamina attributed delays to adverse weather conditions. However, operators say recurring shortages indicate deeper issues within the distribution network that require immediate attention.

The shortage has resulted in long vehicle queues extending beyond station premises, causing traffic jams and forcing motorists to spend hours waiting for fuel. Meanwhile, gas station operators continue to bear operational costs—including employee salaries, electricity, security, and maintenance—despite being unable to make sales.

Many fuel Delivery Orders (DOs) have also remained unfulfilled, leaving stations without stock for hours or even longer.

Gas station operators have urged Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut to publicly explain the root cause of the distribution disruption. They also called for official clarification regarding reports circulating among industry players about limited fuel tanker availability, changes in the number of tanker drivers, and other operational constraints to prevent speculation.

The operators and local communities have demanded that Pertamina Patra Niaga Regional Sumbagut:

• Immediately restore fuel distribution across North Sumatra.
• Transparently disclose the causes of the supply disruption.
• Ensure similar incidents do not continue to recur.
• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the fuel distribution chain if systemic weaknesses are found to have caused the delays.

“Fuel is a vital necessity for the public. Repeated distribution disruptions not only cause financial losses for gas station operators but also hamper economic activity, public services, and community mobility. A swift, transparent, and comprehensive solution is urgently needed,” said a gas station operator in Medan.