By: Raffi Ramadhan)*
The government confirms that all fuel oil (BBM) circulating in the community has met the established specification standards. This step is taken to ensure that every product consumed has guaranteed quality and has not experienced adulteration practices as widely reported on various social media platforms. Information stating that there is an adulteration practice of Pertamina’s BBM is disinformation that must be responded to wisely by the public.
PT Pertamina (Persero) confirms that there is no illegal mixing or increasing of octane numbers in the BBM products they distribute. Products such as Pertamax (RON 92) and Pertalite (RON 90) have gone through a strict testing process and are guaranteed to comply with the specifications set by the government. Every product that reaches consumers is the result of production that is strictly supervised and in accordance with applicable regulations.
Pertamina’s VP of Corporate Communication, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, said that the information circulating regarding BBM mixing is a form of disinformation that has no basis.
All marketed fuel products have gone through a laboratory testing process conducted by the Oil and Gas Agency (Lemigas), ensuring compliance with the standards set by the Directorate General of Oil and Gas (Dirjen Migas).
Fadjar emphasized that each type of fuel has clear specifications, where Pertalite remains with RON 90 and Pertamax remains with RON 92 without any changes during the distribution process.
Regarding the alleged corruption case in the management of crude oil imports and exports and refinery products, Fadjar added that the problem handled by the Attorney General’s Office is not related to fuel mixing, but rather the purchase of imported Pertalite and Pertamax.
The narrative that has developed in the community regarding the existence of fuel mixtures does not correspond to the facts revealed by the authorities. The public is advised to continue using fuel as usual without having to worry about its quality.
Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary, Heppy Wulansari, also emphasized that the fuel distributed by Pertamina is in accordance with the specifications set by the government.
Pertamina’s fuel terminal only accepts finished products with a predetermined octane rating, without any mixing process that can change these specifications. The addition of additives is intended to improve fuel performance and not to change the octane number.
Heppy also highlighted that Pertamina Patra Niaga has implemented strict quality control procedures in every stage of fuel distribution. The entire process is directly supervised by the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) to ensure that the quality of the products reaching the public is maintained. Thus, the issue of fuel adulteration is misleading and baseless information.
Acting Daily Director (PTH) of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Mars Ega Legowo Putra, emphasized that the Pertalite and Pertamax types of fuel sold to the public did not experience any changes in specifications during the distribution process. All products received from domestic refineries and procurement from abroad are already in the form of RON that is in accordance with the specifications that have been set.
Ega explained that the blending process carried out at the fuel terminal is limited to the addition of additives and dyes to differentiate products and improve their performance. This process is standard in the oil industry and does not affect the octane value of the fuel that has been determined since the beginning of production. Every batch of fuel received from refineries or imports has undergone laboratory tests to ensure that its quality is maintained.
Meanwhile, President Prabowo also responded to the case by emphasizing that the government will continue to clean up and enforce the rules that apply to the oil governance sector in Indonesia and continue to defend the interests of the people.
The government continues to strive to maintain transparency in fuel management so that the public gets quality products. Pertamina and all related parties are committed to implementing good corporate governance for the benefit of consumers. With strict supervision from various institutions, every stage of fuel distribution remains within the corridor that has been regulated.
The public should not easily believe unverified information and only rely on official sources to obtain news related to fuel circulation. The government together with Pertamina ensures that all fuel products circulating on the market have met applicable standards, so that the public can use fuel safely and comfortably without having to worry about its quality. () ) The author is a public policy observer
