Makassar implements emergency measures as fuel shortages trigger citywide disruptions
Authorities in Makassar have ordered emergency measures including online schooling and work-from-home arrangements for civil servants as severe fuel shortages continue to disrupt daily life in South Sulawesi's capital, with queues at gas stations stretching hundreds of meters and motorists waiting at all hours to refuel.
Mayor Munafri 'Appi' Arifuddin announced on Friday that students from early childhood education through junior high school would shift to online learning from Sept. 12-19, while civil servants would work from home on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 14-15.
"Through this policy, teaching and learning activities continue without requiring students to travel from home to school, thereby allowing us to curb vehicle mobility during school hours," Arifuddin said in a statement.
The city has also implemented an odd-even purchase policy for subsidized fuel from Sept. 13-20, restricting vehicles to refuel only on dates matching the last digit of their license plates. A modular gas station was deployed at the Center Point of Indonesia area starting Sept. 13, offering motorcycle refueling at a flat rate of Rp 30,000 per vehicle to ease congestion at regular stations.
The shortages have particularly affected Pertalite gasoline and Biosolar diesel, with BPH Migas reporting that Pertalite stock at Pertamina fuel terminals is sufficient for only 8-14 days as of mid-September. The energy crisis has also extended to household cooking gas, with LPG 3kg cylinders becoming scarce by Sept. 11, prompting Pertamina to accelerate distribution and increase supply by 130 percent.
Nationwide pattern of supply pressure
Makassar's fuel crisis reflects a broader pattern across Indonesia, with multiple regions including Aceh, North Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sumatra, and East Kalimantan reporting similar shortages throughout 2026. The central government launched a nationwide crackdown on subsidized fuel misuse in July.
South Sulawesi authorities have seized approximately 229,123 liters of subsidized diesel in enforcement actions by May 21, indicating significant fuel hoarding and misuse that may be exacerbating shortages for legitimate consumers.
Pertamina has attributed the persistent queues primarily to a significant consumer shift toward subsidized fuels like Pertalite rather than actual stock shortages, overwhelming existing gas station infrastructure not designed for such high demand levels.
Global and fiscal pressures
The domestic fuel challenges unfold against a backdrop of global oil market volatility, with prices surging to $109 per barrel in early September due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which over 20 percent of the world's oil trade passes.
Indonesia has allocated IDR 315.7 trillion (approximately $20 billion) for energy subsidies and compensation in its 2026 state budget, representing nearly 10 percent of total spending. The government has committed to keeping subsidized fuel prices unchanged through December 2026 despite the global market pressures.
South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman has requested an increase in the region's subsidized fuel quota allocation from the central government, while urging residents not to panic buy and maintaining that stock and supply remain assured.
"This work-from-home implementation is temporary and will be further evaluated based on developments regarding fuel availability, as well as the needs of government operations and public service delivery," Mayor Arifuddin said, indicating the measures could be extended depending on supply conditions.
