Gather Private Fuel Operators, Bahlil Allows Base Fuel Imports Via Pertamina

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia gathered all operators of the private Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU) and Pertamina to conduct discussions regarding fuel stock vacancies. The business entities that attended included Pertamina, Shell Indonesia, BP-AKR, Vivo and ExxonMobil.

Bahlil said that during the meeting it was agreed that private business entities would import base fuel or fuel ingredients that had not been mixed through PT Pertamina (Persero). Just so you know, base fuel is a fuel material that has not been added additive substances.

"They agreed and had to agree to buy or collaborate with Pertamina, the conditions must be base fuel or not mixed," Bahlil told the media crew at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Friday, September 19.

Later, Bahlil continued, all business entities will mix each formula in the blundering tank of each business entity. Bahlil likens Pertamina's fuel to tea. However, the business entity agreed that it would only buy 'hot water'.

"Pertamina initially wanted to sell it, it was already tea, but they just said hot water. Mixed at each gas station and this has been approved," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the quality of fuel, Bahlil said private business entities, the government and Pertamina will involve joint surveyors who will check the quality of the base fuel before being sent to Indonesia.

"So the goods haven't left yet, there are surveyors there," he added.

Bahlil emphasized that the base fuel import will use Pertamina's remaining quota so that there will be no additional fuel import quota for 2025.

Bahlil said, actually the availability of national fuel supply is in a safe range, which is 18 to 21 days. However, he admitted that the fuel reserves belonging to private gas station business entities were running low and even experienced vacancies.

Bahlil also reiterated that private business entities have been given an import quota of fuel in 2025 of 100 + 10 percent.

However, Bahlil did not specify further how much volume of fuel bases would be imported through Pertamina. Bahlil also did not mention the country of origin of the fuel to be imported.

"The volume will be determined for technical discussions. What is clear is that seven days the goods will arrive in Indonesia," said Bahlil.