On May 21, 2026, the Southern Community Energy Guard (GEMS) staged a peaceful protest at government offices, demanding immediate relief from regional ‘energy discrimination’ and rising inflation. Activists urged East Sumba Regent Umbu Lili Pekuwali to freeze strict provincial fuel regulations and fast-track infrastructure projects, including the federal One Price Fuel program, to secure long-term energy justice for the southern region.
In response, Regent Pekuwali accepted the group’s demands and scheduled immediate negotiations to hammer out a framework for subsidized fuel allocations. As an initial concession, the local administration has ordered authorities to register and prioritize all southern public transportation vehicles for subsidized fuel access.