Bali Cuts Fuel Queues With 48 Million Liters and Odd-Even Plates From October 17

Bali is moving to end weeks of fuel chaos with a two-part plan: a major supply injection and a new rule limiting who can buy subsidized gasoline on which day. State-owned energy firm Pertamina is accelerating deliveries to the island, targeting 48 million liters to stabilize supply and prevent further shortages [264562]. The push comes after disrupted deliveries left the resort island short of fuel, triggering panic buying and hours-long queues at petrol stations [263427].

Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia said the situation was improving day by day as more fuel reached filling stations, and that the government is monitoring supplies closely to keep stations stocked [263309]. Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned energy company, has stepped up distribution to clear the backlog that left drivers waiting in long lines [263309].

Alongside the supply effort, the Bali Provincial Government and Pertamina's commercial and trading arm, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, will begin enforcing an odd-even license plate system for fuel purchases on October 17 [264593]. Under the policy, vehicles with odd-numbered plates can refuel on odd dates and even-numbered plates on even dates, matching the last digit of the plate to the date [264566]. The measure aims to reduce traffic congestion and fuel consumption, according to officials [264593].

The rule specifically targets Pertalite, a low-cost subsidized gasoline and the country's most widely used fuel. Pertamina said it backs the policy as a way to ensure subsidized fuel reaches the drivers who need it most [264566]. Subsidized fuel is a politically sensitive issue in Indonesia, where the government has been looking for ways to tighten distribution and cut the burden on the state budget [264566]. Similar odd-even traffic policies are already used in several Indonesian cities to reduce congestion [264566].