Fuel shortages in Ketapang and North Kayong have caused long queues and disrupted daily business ahead of West Kalimantan’s provincial Quran recitation competition. According to Pertamina, delayed maritime deliveries caused the disruption. 900,000 liters of Pertalite have arrived. Pertamina plans to deliver another 2.5 million liters on July 26.

KAYONG UTARA, thekabarnews.com—Pertamina is reinforcing fuel supplies in southern West Kalimantan after shortages spread from Ketapang to North Kayong. This has disrupted public mobility and raised concerns ahead of a major provincial religious event.

Long queues have formed at several fuel stations (SPBU) after supplies of subsidized Pertalite and other fuels ran low. Some stations reportedly sold out within hours, affecting residents, transport operators and businesses near congested fuel outlets.

The disruption comes as North Kayong prepares to host the 34th West Kalimantan Provincial Quran Recitation Competition (Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran/MTQ XXXIV) in Sukadana from August 1 to 9, 2026. Organizers expect delegations from the province’s 14 regencies and cities to participate.

Pertamina Patra Niaga attributed the shortage to delayed maritime distribution. Ketapang officials previously said congestion at a main supply terminal in East Kalimantan delayed fuel tankers.

A tanker arrived at the Ketapang Fuel Terminal on July 15 carrying approximately 1.93 million liters. These include 901,328 liters of Pertalite, 148,101 liters of Pertamax and 884,276 liters of B40 diesel. This information is according to the Diskominfo Ketapang.

Continuing queues indicate that restoring inventories across the two large regencies requires more than a single delivery.

“The issue is not only price. What matters to residents is that fuel is available,” West Kalimantan legislator Rasmidi said, as quoted by Pontianak Post.

He urged Pertamina to match distribution volumes with actual daily demand. He also called on law enforcement agencies to prevent hoarding or misuse of subsidized fuel.

Pertamina has pledged to prioritize morning deliveries to North Kayong during the nine-day competition. During this period, Pertamina expects an increase in participant movements and local consumption.

“Pertamina is ready to prioritize North Kayong for morning fuel deliveries,” regional sales branch manager Rio Fairuz Prambudi said following a coordination meeting in Sukadana on July 21.

Pertamina reported that a shipment containing 900 kiloliters, or 900,000 liters, of Pertalite had already arrived. Support is also being provided through the Pontianak Integrated Terminal and Pangkalan Bun Fuel Terminal, the North Kayong administration said.

A further 2,500 kiloliters, equivalent to 2.5 million liters, was scheduled to arrive on July 26. As of July 25, the government had not announced confirmation of that shipment’s arrival.

North Kayong Regent Romi Wijaya said fuel distribution must remain a priority to prevent further public anxiety.

“Please prioritize this issue. Matters like these must not be underestimated,” Romi said.

Local authorities are also considering longer fuel-station operating hours. They are considering additional non-subsidized fuel allocations and tighter monitoring to ensure subsidized supplies reach eligible consumers.