Bali governor urges calm as fuel queues disrupt residents and tourists
Fuel shortages have triggered long queues at petrol stations across Bali, disrupting residents, businesses and visitors, including Australian tourists. Governor Wayan Koster has urged people not to panic-buy, saying supplies are adequate and the disruption should ease as deliveries arrive.
Queues have reportedly stretched for up to a kilometre, while some stations and roadside sellers have run low or run out. One visitor said his wife waited two and a half hours after joining a queue at 4.30am; fuel in Bali costs as little as 90 Australian cents a litre, compared with an Australian average of $2.46. Indonesia’s state-owned energy company has scheduled fuel tankers to arrive every other day this week, and Bali received 1.63 million Australian visitors in 2025.
- Fuel shortages have caused long queues across Bali.
- Tankers are due every other day this week.
- The governor says supplies are sufficient and disruption should ease soon.
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Bali is an Indonesian island where residents and businesses rely on petrol for everyday travel and work. Visitors also use fuel to get around, often by car or motorbike. Australia is a major source of Bali’s tourism.
Wayan Koster is Bali’s governor, while Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, manages fuel supplies. Fuel is brought to the island by tanker, so deliveries and local distribution affect what is available at petrol stations. Long waits can disrupt residents’ journeys and businesses as well as tourists’ plans.
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The case for
The governor’s appeal for calm is reasonable if deliveries are scheduled and supplies are adequate: panic-buying can intensify queues and leave less fuel for residents, businesses and visitors who need it. Regular tanker arrivals may help restore supply, so avoiding unnecessary purchases could ease disruption while deliveries catch up.
The case against
Residents and businesses can reasonably question whether reassurance matches conditions on the ground when queues are lengthy and some outlets have run out. People who depend on fuel for work or travel may feel they need to secure it while it is available, and clear, timely information about deliveries and local stock would help them judge whether waiting is practical.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Bali authorities call for calm as fuel shortage crisis sparks wild scenes, causing chaos for Aussie tourists”.