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View all search resultsFuel shortages hit Riau, triggering long lines at gas stations
Across the province, lines of motorcycles, trucks and cars have formed at nearly every gas station, frequently spilling onto main roads and causing traffic disruptions.
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Stock up: Motorcyclists line up to refuel with non-subsidized fuel Pertamax on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at a gas station in the Kuningan area, Jakarta. (Antara/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
F
uel shortages have affected several regions across Riau province over the past few days, triggering long lines at gas stations as residents scramble to secure supplies.
The first reports of shortages surfaced on Thursday, just four days before state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina raised prices for several non-subsidized fuel products on Monday. The price hike comes amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and economic sanctions that continue to disrupt the global oil market.
Across the province, lines of motorcycles, trucks and cars have formed at nearly every gas station, frequently spilling onto main roads and causing traffic disruptions.
Small roadside fuel kiosks have also been overwhelmed by surging demand. On Jalan Purwodadi in the Panam area, for instance, one kiosk has remained closed for the past two days after completely exhausting its fuel stock.
“Two days ago, 100 liters sold out in just one hour, people were scrambling to buy it,” said Ardi, the kiosk’s owner on Sunday.
Subhan Sakti, a Pekanbaru resident, says he has struggled to secure subsidized Pertalite fuel for his car over the past three days.
“Motorcycles can still get subsidized fuel because they only need small amounts. But for cars, it’s extremely difficult, the queues are long and barely move. I had to drive to a station on the outskirts and wait for an hour until 11 p.m.,” he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. “A neighbor of mine only managed to refuel after midnight.”
