Jakarta. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia addressed long lines of vehicles at several gas stations in South Sulawesi, saying they did not necessarily indicate a nationwide fuel shortage but could be linked to distribution and consumption patterns.

Bahlil said national fuel reserves remained above the government’s minimum threshold, with supplies sufficient for around 18 to 20 days.

“As for fuel reserves, our national stock is within the national minimum limit of 18–20 days,” Bahlil said when met at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday.

However, he said the long lines in South Sulawesi needed to be viewed in a broader context. National reserves do not necessarily reflect supply conditions at every region or gas station, he said.

Bahlil said several factors could be contributing to the queues, including changes in consumer purchasing patterns.

There have been concerns that some consumers who previously bought non-subsidized fuel have switched to subsidized fuel. A large-scale shift could put additional pressure on supplies of subsidized fuel.

Bahlil also raised allegations that some motorists were queuing at gas stations not simply to meet their normal fuel needs.

He said such alleged misuse could disrupt the distribution of subsidized fuel to consumers who rely on it.

“One example is that there are indeed certain parties, as you all already have the data, who line up at gas stations not just for the sake of it, but with other intentions in mind, so to speak,” he said.

The allegations follow earlier reports of vehicles being modified with larger fuel tanks to allow them to purchase subsidized fuel in larger quantities. Bahlil has said authorities found vehicles with tanks capable of holding hundreds of liters of fuel.

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