Diesel Shortage Strangles Mamuju Fishermen: Rp 12,000 per Liter, Must Wait 4 Days

MAMUJU, KOMPAS.com - A shortage of subsidized diesel fuel is hitting fishermen at Kasiwa Harbor, Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi, hard.

This situation forces fishermen to buy diesel from retailers at prices reaching Rp 12,000 per liter.

One local fisherman, Maskur (53), revealed that the difficulty in obtaining subsidized diesel at gas stations makes the fishermen fully dependent on retailer supplies.

Meanwhile, diesel prices at gas stations remain around Rp 6,800 per liter.

"Diesel at retailers is scarce now; it takes two to three days to get some. The price has risen to Rp 12,000 per liter from the previous Rp 10,000. It's very hard to find at gas stations," Maskur said at Kasiwa Harbor, Mamuju, on Saturday (19/9/2026).

Maskur explained that he needs at least 20 liters of diesel for each fishing trip.

The fuel price hike directly cuts into fishermen's daily income, especially since retailer diesel supplies are quite limited.

Besides fuel, fishermen’s activities have been further hampered by a clean water crisis from PDAM and rolling blackouts conducted by PLN.

This has caused a shortage of ice, which fishermen urgently need to preserve the quality of their catch at sea.

This constrained situation is striking a heavy blow to the local fishermen’s livelihoods.

Maskur, who supports his wife and five children, hopes for swift action from local government and relevant agencies.

"We hope the government will quickly stabilize prices and supplies so fishermen can continue working," he said.