BRIN Offers Public Fuel Testing Amid Concerns Over Pertamina's Product Quality

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has invited the public to submit samples of Pertalite and Pertamax fuel for testing. This service is available for those who still doubt the quality of products from state-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina.

"[The testing] has a procedure, and we provide the service. The public just needs to bring the sample," said Head of BRIN's Energy Conversion and Conservation Research Center, Tata Sutardi, during an online discussion on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Alleged corruption involving high-ranking Pertamina officials has raised concerns about manipulation in the production of Pertamax and Pertalite gasoline. These concerns centered around the possibility that the fuel widely used by the Indonesian population might not meet quality standards due to adulteration.

According to Tata, users who question the fuel quality can submit their samples for testing through the Electronic Science Service (ELSA) website managed by BRIN. This is a paid service, and the public must provide at least 30 liters of the fuel they wish to have analyzed.

BRIN researchers will need up to a month to obtain valid results from the laboratory analysis. The public will be informed about the quality of the fuel, including its impact on engines and its specifications.

"The results will include details such as exhaust emissions, for example, how long it lasts, how many kilometers it can go, its durability, and its torque," Tata explained.

This test can also verify the Research Octane Number (RON) of different fuel brands. For example, the public can compare Pertamax from Pertamina and Shell Super from Shell, both of which are rated RON 92. However, Tata mentioned that octane testing would be more detailed if done by specialized institutions, such as the Oil and Gas Testing and Certification Institute.

Tata also noted that the test results provided by BRIN could be disclosed by the applicants. The findings could also be published in scientific journals.

Pertamina's management had previously denied allegations that Pertamax had been adulterated with Pertalite. Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President of Pertamina Corporate Communication, assured that the Pertamax available to the public meets the specified standards.

"The blending narrative does not align with what was communicated by the prosecutor's office," he said during a meeting at the Regional Representative Council (DPD) building in Jakarta on February 25, 2025.

Editor's Choice: 526 Complaints Filed Against Pertamina, LBH Jakarta: Public Trust Crumbles

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