Indonesia's energy minister, Bahlil Lahadalia, said on Monday, 26 October 2026, that he will travel abroad starting this week, including to China and India, in an effort to secure more petrol supplies. The move reflects concern in Jakarta about fuel availability after supply disruptions were reported in several provinces earlier in October, and about the uncertainty created by continuing tension in the Middle East.

A faster import route through Lemigas

Indonesia plans to increase energy imports through the state agency Lemigas, which will then supply state energy firm Pertamina, in an effort to get around the lengthy process of procurement through tenders, Lahadalia told reporters. Under a recent regulation, a public service agency is permitted to import crude oil, fuels and liquefied petroleum gas when the imports are based on agreements made by the Indonesian government with foreign countries or suppliers. Lahadalia did not say how much Indonesia will import from the alternative sources.

Queues and Middle East uncertainty

Explaining the urgency, Lahadalia said: "We cannot predict how long the tension in the Middle East will go on for, so President Prabowo has instructed us to find other alternatives for energy supply." Indonesia's Ombudsman said earlier in October that fuel supply disruptions had been reported across several provinces, including Bali, North Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, West Papua and West Kalimantan, with vehicle queues stretching to around one kilometre in several locations. The planned visits to China and India are therefore aimed at widening supply options, rather than replacing existing arrangements outright, although the volumes involved remain undisclosed.