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Long rows at gas stations ahead of expected price hike

11 May 2008, JAKARTA - Queues are emerging ahead of the announcement from the government to increase fuel prices. In many parts of the country people are looking for a way to buy the now still cheap fuels in larger quantities than normal. In cities like Palangkaraya, Banjarmasin (Kalimantan), Jambi and across the island of Java people are queuing up. Some gas stations have even limited the amount sold to one customer.

Hanung Budya, deputy director of the marketing department at the state gas and oil company PT Pertamina, told that the higher prices would prevent subsidies on the products to rise even further over budget. "The reaction of the people to planned fuel price increases has always been the same. They try to buy fuel in large amounts, more than they need," Hanung said.

Another spokesman for Pertamina, Wisnutoro, predicted that the sale of fuels has risen some ten percent sine the announcement was made. "If it is not dealt with properly, May's consumption will soar," he said. Pertamina its working together with the police to secure the distribution of fuel, which includes police officers at some gas stations to prevent hoarding. Police in several areas, including Jakarta, have arrested several people allegedly involved in hoarding.