State Secretary: Indonesian Military Drives Fuel Trucks to Maintain Supply
The government has confirmed that the deployment of Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel as Pertamina fuel tanker drivers in North Sumatra is only temporary. This measure was taken to ensure the continuity of fuel distribution amidst disruptions to delivery operations at several gas stations.
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi stated that the government prioritizes ensuring a smooth energy supply to ensure public needs are not disrupted. Therefore, TNI personnel are being deployed to assist with the distribution process until conditions return to normal.
“The most important thing is to ensure that the entire distribution process runs smoothly and that public needs are met,” said Prasetyo Hadi at the House of Representatives Building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (July 15, 2026).
According to Prasetyo, the deployment of TNI personnel is not a permanent policy, but rather an emergency solution to address distribution constraints in North Sumatra.
Previously, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution explained that the long queues at several gas stations in Medan City were not caused by fuel shortages. He emphasized that fuel supplies were still available, but distribution was disrupted due to the mass layoff of tanker drivers.
“Fuel stocks are secure. The challenge is distribution, as many tanker drivers have stopped working, disrupting deliveries to gas stations,” said Bobby.
As a result, several tanker fleets have been unable to operate to transport fuel from storage terminals to gas stations. This has disrupted supply deliveries, leading to queues at various points.
To expedite distribution normalization, the North Sumatra Provincial Government coordinated with Pertamina, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri). The coordination concluded that TNI and Polri personnel would assist in driving tanker trucks and overseeing the fuel distribution process until the recruitment process for new drivers is complete.
“This measure is only temporary until new drivers are available. The goal is to ensure fuel distribution returns to normal and queues at gas stations can be resolved quickly,” said Bobby.
In addition to operating the tankers, TNI and Polri personnel will also provide security during the distribution journey from the fuel terminals to the gas stations. The government hopes this collaboration will accelerate distribution recovery and allow services to return to normal.
