Breaking Bali News: Fuel Crisis Continues, Canggu Sees Gasoline Sold at Inflated Prices, Military Assists with Gas Station Operations

⛽ Latest Developments: Pertamina Adds 57.9 Million Liters of Fuel, Police Escort Tanker Trucks, Gas Stations Not Yet Fully Restored

On October 15, long queues at Bali gas stations remained severe, with some areas seeing even longer lines than the day before. The latest development is that Pertamina has ramped up fuel distribution, bringing in tanker trucks from East Java, with police escorts accompanying fuel trucks to stations across the island.

Fuel Supply Increases, but Queuing Issues Not Yet Fully Resolved

Pertamina announced that between October 14 and 17, it will supply approximately 57.9 million liters of fuel to Bali in batches, including:

• Pertalite: 44.9 million liters
• Pertamax: 13 million liters

Additionally, Pertamina has dispatched four tanker trucks from Banyuwangi, East Java, to Bali, each with a capacity of 16,000 liters, to speed up distribution. The company has also increased the number of tanker truck drivers and gas station operators, and is exploring the use of motorcycles to deliver fuel to riders where regulations allow. Police are escorting tanker trucks from the Manggis fuel terminal to various gas stations to reduce delays caused by traffic congestion.

However, as of 10 a.m. on October 15, some gas stations in Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Karangasem still had long lines. This means that while fuel is arriving, not every station has replenished its stocks yet.

Queueing Worsens in Some Areas

On the morning of October 15, queues at the Besang gas station in Klungkung grew significantly, with local reports describing lines nearly three times longer than the previous day. Some residents began waiting as early as 3 a.m.

At the Subagan gas station in Karangasem, East Bali, the line of cars stretched about 2 kilometers. In Jembrana, some residents queued from the previous evening until the next morning without being able to refuel, and the waiting vehicles disrupted traffic on the main Denpasar–Gilimanuk road.

These situations show that when residents rush to refuel out of fear of shortages, even if a new batch of fuel has arrived at the port, localized shortages can still occur due to distribution speed and a sudden surge in demand.

Work-from-Home Policies Also Vary

The Bali provincial government initially announced work-from-home and online learning measures from October 15 to 17. However, the Denpasar city government separately declared that city-level government offices and schools would implement these measures from October 15 to 16, while public services must still be maintained.

Notably, the Governor of Bali previously stated that if the fuel distribution plan could be executed quickly, a full work-from-home policy might not be necessary. Therefore, the scope of provincial and city-level measures may differ. Travelers needing to handle government affairs or visit schools should check the latest announcements from the relevant institutions.

Practical Impact on Travelers

• Airport transfers: Confirm with your driver in advance about the vehicle’s fuel level and pickup time, especially for early morning or late-night flights.
• Private car tours: Ensure the driver has refueled before departure, and allow extra time for cross-region itineraries.
• Renting a scooter: Don’t wait until your fuel is nearly empty to look for a gas station, and don’t panic-buy based on social media rumors.
• Long-distance travel: When heading to North Bali, East Bali, or the Gilimanuk direction, pay close attention to gas stations and traffic conditions along the way.
• Staying at a villa: If you need to arrange airport transfers or day trips, ask your accommodation first if they have the latest local fuel situation.

The most accurate assessment right now is that fuel distribution in Bali is speeding up, but as of October 15, queues and shortages remain severe in some areas. For travelers, transportation plans should be based on actual local conditions, not just official figures about increased fuel supply that suggest the crisis is over.

🚨 Suspected price gouging in Canggu: locals allegedly selling gasoline to foreign tourists at IDR 200,000 per bottle; police investigating

During Bali’s fuel crisis, a video circulated on social media showing someone in a ride-hailing motorcycle driver’s uniform allegedly selling bottled gasoline to foreign tourists in Canggu at a staggering IDR 200,000 per bottle.

Preliminary police investigations suggest the incident may have occurred on the afternoon of October 14 on Jalan Batu Mejan in Canggu, North Kuta. The gasoline bottle in the video holds about 1.5 liters. Police are reviewing nearby surveillance footage to track down the motorcycle and individuals involved. Since the investigation is ongoing, not all details in the video should be taken as confirmed.

Badung police remind the public that it is illegal to acquire or resell subsidized fuel, or to profit by modifying fuel tanks or bulk-purchasing gasoline for resale. Offenders may face criminal penalties under Indonesian law.

Advice for foreign travelers

When fuel supplies are tight, some travelers may be tempted to buy bottled gasoline on the roadside to keep moving, but this approach carries several risks:

• Prices may be significantly higher than normal fuel costs.
• The source and quality of the fuel are hard to verify.
• Storing gasoline in unsuitable containers poses safety risks.
• Wearing a ride-hailing uniform does not mean the person is a legitimate fuel supplier.

If you’re renting a scooter, it’s best to use official gas stations. If a nearby station is temporarily out of fuel, ask your accommodation or rental provider about the actual situation rather than accepting unreasonable prices out of fear of missing out on your itinerary.

🛡️ 66 Gas Stations in Bali Plan 24-Hour Operations with Military Assistance for Night Services

To ease long queues and staff fatigue at gas stations, Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced on October 15 that Indonesian military (TNI) personnel would be deployed to assist with nighttime operations at select stations.

Initially, 66 gas stations in Denpasar were planned for this arrangement, but as of that day, around 50 had the necessary personnel support. Each station is expected to have one or two military personnel assisting with night shifts to support extended operating hours.

This measure is primarily aimed at reducing the burden on gas station staff and maintaining fuel supply services during the night.

However, 24-hour operation does not guarantee that every station will have sufficient fuel. Travelers planning to refuel at night should still check whether the station has fuel, is open, and what the queue situation looks like.

🌊 BMKG Warns: Waves Up to 4 Meters in Southern Bali Waters—Stay Alert for Marine Activities

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) issued a sea condition warning on October 15, forecasting waves of 2.5 to 4 meters in parts of Indonesian waters from October 15 to 18, including the Indian Ocean south of Bali.

During this period, travelers heading to Uluwatu, Jimbaran, and the southern coast of Bali should pay close attention to wave conditions, wind strength, and on-site safety announcements. If you plan to take a ferry, join a sea excursion, or visit outlying islands, it’s advisable to reconfirm the latest updates from the ferry company or relevant authorities on the day of departure.

Please note that a wave warning does not mean all beaches will be closed or all ferry services will be canceled; the actual impact depends on the sea area, vessel type, weather, and the operator’s safety assessment.