Pertamina adds more fuel supply in the market

State owned oil and gas company Pertamina has added fuel supply of more than 50,000 kiloliters a day in the market to cope with the fuel rush ahead of the government's plan to announce the increase in the fuel prices, Koran Tempo reported on Friday.

Pertamina's spokesman, Abadi Poernomo said in Jakarta on Thursday that the increase in the fuel supply was personally requested by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"The President requests us to provide a fair level of the oil supply in the market," he was quoted as saying. He added that the fuel supply had reached 216,000 kiloliters on Wednesday, far above the daily demand of about 164,000 kiloliters.

The rush for fuel takes place in almost all parts of the country ahead of the government's plan to announce the rise in the fuel prices. A long line of motorists can be seen in almost all fuel stations in Jakarta and other major cities in the last few days as the people try to get enough fuel supply before the new prices become affective.

The government plans to announce the fuel price increase on Friday evening but it is not yet decided the percentage of the price increase. (*)