Gas Station Worker Killed Amid Chaos as Asian Countries Face Fuel Shortages
Reprisal Crimes in Bangladesh After Fuel Refusals
Emergency in Indonesia and Others Amid Worsening Fuel Shortages
The Iran crisis has sparked conflicts across Asia due to fuel shortages. In some ASEAN countries, violent crimes related to fuel have also occurred.
The Washington Post (WP) reported on April 2 (local time) that countries throughout Asia are struggling with fuel shortages. The outlet particularly focused on developing nations in ASEAN, such as Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and relies on imports for 95% of its total energy needs.
Since the onset of the Iran crisis, the Bangladeshi government has taken various measures to stabilize fuel supply, but 3,000 gas stations nationwide are running empty, with hoarding and illegal stockpiling rampant. In the northern region, a group of bikers even severely assaulted a gas station employee. In an eastern district of Dhaka, the capital, drivers who were unable to refuel and had to return home empty-handed came back in the evening to retaliate against the gas station staff.
In a separate incident, a truck driver was arrested on charges of killing a gas station manager by running him over after being refused service. According to the local police investigation, the driver stated that his motive was having "waited for eight hours" to refuel.
According to local media, Bangladeshi society is experiencing its most severe social unrest since the collapse of the government after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2024. Some gas station employees have requested to resign after being threatened with arson against the building.
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Bangladesh is not the only country where the fuel crisis is spreading through society. Indonesia has so far maintained massive fuel subsidies, but as a result, the fiscal deficit is ballooning, putting the country in a crisis. Pakistan, which maintains a similar subsidy system, is facing similar concerns. Gul Nawaz, president of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, warned, "If the subsidies are cut off, people can turn violent against gas station staff and owners at any time."
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