Government Encourages Collaboration between Private Gas Stations and Pertamina to Address Fuel Shortages
By: Ragiman Kuntoro )*
The fuel shortages that have recently occurred at a number of private gas stations have become a serious concern for the government. The public certainly hopes that access to vital energy like fuel will not be disrupted, especially in urban areas with high mobility. To this end, the government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), emphasized the importance of close collaboration between private gas stations and PT Pertamina (Persero) as a concrete step to address supply issues while strengthening national energy security.
ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that the government has provided greater leeway for private companies to import fuel. In 2025, the import quota was increased by 110 percent compared to the previous year. This means that private gas stations will actually have a wider opportunity to meet their energy needs. However, if there is a supply shortage in the field, the best solution remains cooperation with Pertamina, as the state’s representative in ensuring the continuity of energy distribution.
According to Bahlil Lahadalia, the state cannot completely hand over a sector of production that affects the livelihoods of many people to market mechanisms. Energy is a strategic sector that must remain under state control to ensure price stability and supply availability. Therefore, collaboration between private gas stations and Pertamina is not a form of restriction, but rather a protective measure in line with the constitutional mandate to safeguard the interests of the wider public.
Meanwhile, Laode Sulaeman, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, revealed that to date, there have been no official requests from private gas stations to collaborate with Pertamina. He stated that several companies are still conducting internal analyses regarding logistics mechanisms and strategies. However, he emphasized that there will be no additional costs in the fuel purchasing scheme through Pertamina because the government has eliminated the possibility of additional burdens that would burden consumers and businesses.
This statement reaffirms the government’s commitment that the one-stop import policy through Pertamina aims for consolidation. This consolidation ensures that supply volume, quality, and financing aspects are under national control, thereby minimizing potential inefficiencies and price disparities. Thus, the public interest remains the top priority.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dadan Kusdiana, added that regulations clearly stipulate the fuel import mechanism through Pertamina, as stipulated in Presidential Regulation Number 191 of 2014. With a clear legal framework, collaboration between the private sector and Pertamina strengthens a more integrated system.
Trubus Rahardiansah, a public policy expert from Trisakti University, believes this policy cannot be considered discriminatory or monopolistic. He believes the one-stop shop scheme through Pertamina actually provides the consolidation needed to ensure energy security at the national level. He emphasized that the key lesson from the shortages at private gas stations is weak logistics planning, not limited import quotas. Therefore, collaboration is seen as a mutually beneficial compromise for all parties.
From the operator’s perspective, Roberth Marchelino Verieza, Corporate Secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, expressed full readiness to support the government’s policy. Pertamina, he said, is committed to maintaining supply while providing the best service to the public. With its infrastructure and distribution experience, Pertamina is believed to be capable of being a strategic partner for private gas stations in addressing the shortage gap.
Conditions on the ground do indicate that a number of private gas stations are experiencing stock shortages, particularly in the Greater Jakarta area. However, the government is optimistic that this problem can be resolved quickly. By opening a collaborative channel with Pertamina, it is hoped that energy availability will stabilize and the public will avoid panic. This step also demonstrates the government’s responsiveness to the dynamics in the energy sector, without allowing the problem to drag on.
Furthermore, this collaborative policy also has strategic dimensions. First, it ensures the certainty of fuel distribution to ensure uninterrupted public mobility and industrial activity. Second, it maintains price stability amidst global market fluctuations that often impact import costs. Third, it strengthens the state’s position in regulating vital production sectors to ensure compliance with the principle of national energy sovereignty.
From the public perspective, the certainty of fuel availability guarantees the basic right to adequate access to energy. For the private sector, collaboration with Pertamina opens up opportunities for operational efficiency while maintaining consumer trust. This synergy is not onlyIt not only solves the short-term problem of supply shortages, but also builds a stronger foundation for the sustainability of the national energy sector.
Ultimately, this government-initiated collaboration reflects a new paradigm for energy management: not just competition, but integration. The government acts as both regulator and facilitator, Pertamina acts as the backbone of distribution, and private gas stations act as partners expanding service access. All parties synergize towards a common goal: ensuring energy remains available, affordable, and equitable for all Indonesians.
)* The author is an economic observer
