Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has temporarily removed the barcode requirement for purchasing subsidized fuel in disaster-affected areas of Sumatra to ensure uninterrupted energy distribution during emergency response efforts. 

The policy was announced after the minister directly inspected recovery work in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra..

“There is no need to use the fuel barcode. This is to anticipate any distribution disruptions,” Minister Bahlil said, as reported by antaranews.com on Wednesday (3/12/2025)

The decision follows widespread damage to roads, bridges, electricity networks, and internet infrastructure, all of which have hindered fuel delivery and transportation. By easing purchase rules, the government aims to maintain access to fuel for residents and for emergency operations.

Minister Bahlil urged the public not to misuse the policy and to consume subsidized fuel only for urgent needs. PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, a commercial and trading subholding of state energy company PT Pertamina, has deployed additional fuel tankers, while the Regulatory Agency for Downstream Oil and Gas (BPH Migas), a state agency responsible for overseeing and regulating the supply and distribution of fuel and gas, granted operational flexibility to reroute fuel supplies between districts within the same province.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)