Fuel Shortage Persists in Bali as Foreign Tourist's Act of Kindness to Queuing Drivers Goes Viral
Bali continues to face a fuel (BBM) shortage, resulting in long queues at gas stations across the island. A video of a foreign tourist distributing cold drinks and ice cream to drivers waiting under the hot sun went viral on social media. State oil company Pertamina has dispatched tanker trucks from Banyuwangi to help speed up fuel distribution.
Bali is experiencing an ongoing fuel (BBM) shortage, with long lines of vehicles forming at gas stations (SPBU) across the island. As residents endure hours-long waits under intense heat, a foreign tourist was filmed buying large quantities of cold drinks and ice cream and personally distributing them to drivers stuck in the queue. The video, posted by the Instagram account @Suara_bali_id, quickly went viral.
Footage shows exhausted drivers receiving the drinks with visible relief. While the gesture drew widespread praise online, it also sparked criticism directed at the government's handling of the energy crisis, with some social media users questioning why authorities could not provide similar simple assistance.
The fuel shortage continues to affect transportation across Bali, with vehicle queues at major SPBUs often extending beyond station grounds. In response, Pertamina Patra Niaga said it has dispatched four additional tanker trucks, each with a 16-kiloliter capacity, from Banyuwangi to Bali to help accelerate fuel distribution.
Things to Consider
If using a rented motorbike or car, try to refuel during off-peak hours such as early morning, and keep the tank topped up rather than running low. Carry drinking water in case of long waits at gas stations, and consider ride-hailing apps (Grab/Gojek) as an alternative to driving when fuel supply is uncertain. Checking local news or social media for real-time updates on SPBU queues before heading out can also help avoid unnecessary delays.
Source: Suara.com