BALI – Bali Governor Wayan Koster has stressed that removing PT Pertamina (Persero) President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri is beyond his authority, as public pressure mounts for accountability over the ongoing fuel shortage across Bali.

Koster made the statement on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the InterContinental Bali Resort in Jimbaran, Badung, amid continued reports of queues at fuel stations and growing concerns over the impact on residents, businesses, and the island’s tourism industry.

Koster acknowledged that the fuel shortage could affect economic activity but said the immediate priority should be restoring fuel distribution and services. He added that the potential losses to Bali’s tourism sector had not yet been calculated.

“The impact certainly exists because it reduces activity. So, let us focus on resolving the problem first to ensure fuel distribution and services run smoothly,” he said.

Fuel Queues Persist Across Bali

As of Friday evening, vehicle queues were still visible at several public fuel stations, known locally as SPBU, across Bali. Residents are awaiting reliable supplies, smoother distribution, and a transparent explanation from Pertamina regarding the causes of the shortage and the measures being taken to address it.

Calls for Mantiri to step down have intensified as residents and business operators express frustration over the handling of fuel supplies and distribution.

Bali public figure Gede Ngurah Wididana, widely known as Pak Oles, criticised officials for what he described as a failure to fulfil their responsibilities to the public.

“Those who consider themselves public officials are paid to manage the country and serve the people. The public works hard and pays taxes to fund your salaries, yet you still seem confused while people struggle to earn a living and pay those salaries,” said Wididana.

I Ketut Putra Ismaya Jaya, also known as Jro Bima, chairman of the Keris Bali Foundation and chairman of the Bali regional board of the Perindo Party, also demanded action against Pertamina's leadership.

“Remove Pertamina Patra Niaga President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri. Pertamina must not run away from its responsibility,” Jro Bima said.

Bali Legislators Demand Accountability

Pressure has also come from members of the Bali Regional Legislative Council (DPRD Bali).

Legislators I Dewa Nyoman Rai, deputy chairman of Commission I of the Bali DPRD; I Wayan Bawa, a Badung representative from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P); and Dr Somvir have criticised Pertamina's handling of the fuel shortage and called for the company's leadership to take responsibility.

Bawa urged President Prabowo Subianto to dismiss the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister and Pertamina officials in Bali if they were unable to resolve the crisis.

“Bali is famous around the world and is a benchmark for Indonesia, yet a situation like this has been allowed to happen. This is simply not right,” Bawa said.

The demands reflect growing public frustration over fuel shortages that have disrupted daily mobility and raised concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of fuel distribution across the island.

Tourism Industry Warns of Wider Economic Impact

The fuel shortage has also raised concerns about Bali's international tourism industry, particularly transport services and tour operators that depend on a reliable fuel supply.

Bali tourism figure Jhon K Purna urged government authorities and other decision-makers to intervene quickly, warning that the disruption could affect the experience of international visitors.

“Whoever has the authority to make decisions on this issue, please help Bali. When something happens in Bali, the impact is not just national; it reaches the international level,” Jhon said on Friday during the 15th Bali Regional Conference of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), held in Bali.

He warned that tourists who had planned their trips months in advance could face disruptions if drivers or travel agents could not obtain fuel.

“Imagine arriving in Bali only to find that your driver or travel agent has cancelled because there is no fuel. That is embarrassing,” he said.

Jhon also cited a potential decline in visitor numbers at Jatiluwih, a popular rice terrace destination in Tabanan Regency, Bali. He claimed that visits had fallen by 30 percent before the decline reached 50 percent the following day.

However, these figures were based on his statement during the interview and had not been supported by independently verified comparative data.

According to Jhon, the effects could extend beyond transportation to restaurants, spas, and tourist attractions, particularly those located far from major commercial centres.

Public Awaits Concrete Measures to Restore Fuel Supply

With queues continuing at some fuel stations and tourism operators raising concerns, pressure is mounting on the relevant authorities to restore normal fuel supplies and minimise the economic impact.

The immediate challenge is to ensure reliable distribution, improve communication with the public, and prevent further disruption to residents and businesses.

For Bali, where tourism is a major economic driver and the island has a strong international profile, resolving the fuel shortage is not only a matter of daily convenience but also a test of the authorities' ability to maintain essential services and public confidence.

Residents and business operators are now awaiting concrete action from Pertamina and the government to bring fuel distribution back to normal.