Tuesday, 15 September 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Recurring fuel supply shortages (BBM) have once again occurred in North Sumatra, particularly in Medan City. The situation has triggered public criticism as it has significantly affected daily activities, the transportation sector, and the regional economy.
The legal aid organization Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Medan (LBH Medan) views the repeated BBM supply disruptions as a serious issue concerning energy management and distribution in North Sumatra. According to the organization, the actual conditions on the ground contradict previous statements from the government and Pertamina, which claimed that fuel stocks were sufficient and secure.LBH Medan Director Irvan Saputra, S.H., M.H., stated that his organization had conducted direct inspections and found that several fuel stations (SPBU) had run out of fuel supplies.
Irvan explained that several fuel stations in Medan had been affected by the BBM shortage. These included SPBU HM Yamin, SPBU Denai, SPBU Mandala, and SPBU Johor. Meanwhile, SPBU Padang Bulan was forced to temporarily stop operations due to the absence of fuel stocks.
"Objectively, there are still fuel stations selling BBM. However, people have to queue for very long periods, with lines extending onto the roads, and they must wait for hours just to obtain fuel," Irvan said in an official statement on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.According to Irvan, the situation contradicts the statement made by Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, who previously said that national fuel reserves were safe and storage capacity was sufficient to meet public demand.
He also criticized Pertamina's statement delivered by the Area Manager Communication, Relations & CSR Regional Sumbagut of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga – Downstream Subholding, Fahrougi Andriani Sumampouw, who said that fuel supplies were adequate and distribution efforts were continuing to be optimized. Irvan said the statement did not reflect the actual situation in the field."The statements from the ESDM Minister and Pertamina are completely inconsistent with the reality that is clearly visible today. The BBM shortage in North Sumatra is massive," Irvan stated.
Irvan emphasized that repeated fuel shortages indicated failures in organizing and managing BBM distribution for the public.
"The repeated shortages in North Sumatra are concrete evidence that the state and Pertamina have failed in managing fuel supplies for the people," Irvan said.He explained that the government had frequently delivered reassuring messages, but those statements did not reflect the actual conditions experienced by residents.
"Reassuring narratives that do not match reality create confusion among the public and cause losses. This situation also creates social anxiety and may even trigger panic buying," he added.In his view, the gap between official information and actual conditions could lead to increasing public unrest as people struggle to obtain fuel for their daily needs.
Irvan stated that Bobby subsequently deployed personnel from the military and police as replacement drivers to overcome disruptions in fuel distribution. At the same time, Pertamina was given a two-day deadline to resolve the driver recruitment issue.
"To overcome the disruption in BBM distribution, Bobby even deployed military and police personnel as replacement drivers and gave Pertamina two days to complete the recruitment process," Irvan said.Meanwhile, Richard S. D. Hutapea, S.H., a staff member of LBH Medan's Civil and Political Affairs Division, assessed that the governor's explanation regarding the cause of the fuel shortage was evidence of problems in Pertamina's fuel distribution management.
Richard also criticized the regional government's decision to use military and police personnel as replacement drivers for fuel tankers. According to him, the measure does not align with the primary duties and responsibilities of these state institutions."Legally, the government and Pertamina are obligated and responsible for ensuring that the public's BBM needs are fulfilled so that people's lives and activities can continue," Richard said.
He explained that the state's obligation to ensure adequate energy supply and smooth BBM distribution is regulated under Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Natural Gas, in conjunction with the Job Creation Law.Richard emphasized that the state bears responsibility for ensuring public energy needs because BBM is a fundamental component supporting social and economic activities.
"Due to the repeated BBM shortages, LBH Medan legally urges President Prabowo to immediately resolve this issue. At the same time, we demand the removal of the ESDM Minister and the President Director of Pertamina, along with their leadership ranks, because they have failed and harmed the public. In particular, the ESDM Minister can no longer remain in office because LBH believes he has repeatedly provided inaccurate information to the public, including claims that electricity supply in North Sumatra was secure," Richard stated.Richard added that LBH Medan suspected the fuel supply problems violated several legal provisions, including Article 33 Paragraphs (2) and (3), as well as Article 28H Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia.
Furthermore, LBH Medan referred to Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Natural Gas in conjunction with the Job Creation Law, Consumer Protection Law No. 8 of 1999, as well as international legal frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). (IDNC)REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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