Makassar fuel shortages force remote learning and trigger Pertamina supply boost

Fuel shortages and long queues at gas stations have impacted several regions in Indonesia, most notably in Makassar and throughout South Sulawesi. The shortage has had significant social consequences, leading the Makassar city government to implement remote learning for students ranging from early childhood education to university levels to mitigate mobility issues.

Pertamina Patra Niaga attributed the surge in demand to several factors, including geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East affecting energy prices and a resulting shift in consumer behavior from non-subsidized fuel to subsidized options like Pertalite. Additionally, unverified information circulating among the public has contributed to increased demand. Demand for subsidized diesel (Solar JBT) also saw a 10–15% increase between June and August 2026.

To address the crisis, Pertamina has increased fuel intake from ships to depots and added 17 fuel tank trucks to accelerate distribution. The company is also operating 25 gas stations in Makassar 24 hours a day and has reconfigured service capacities by adding more Pertalite nozzles to speed up refueling processes.