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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The alleged PT Pertamina Patra Niaga corruption case, involving the dilution of Pertamax with Pertalite, has disappointed many. Consumers in various regions who are loyal to using Pertamax feel disadvantaged due to the alleged diluted fuel.
This is the sentiment expressed by Tria Syafaatun, who has been using Pertamax since 2017. "Sad, angry, disappointed. It turns out we've been deceived by certain individuals," Tria told Tempo on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
Tria stated that the reason for choosing Pertamax was because she believed the quality of RON 92 fuel was better for her motorcycle engine compared to Pertalite.
With the alleged dilution of fuel in the corruption case of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Tria feels disadvantaged as a consumer who has been purchasing Pertamax for the past 7 years.
This is because, according to Tria, the diluted fuel's detailed composition is unknown, and she is concerned that the questionable quality of the fuel could damage the motorcycle engine.
As a result, Tria is considering not purchasing Pertamax in the future. "I might just switch to Pertalite, as long as there are no test results confirming that Pertamax has not been diluted," said the woman from Pati Regency, Central Java. Furthermore, Tria explained that her reason for choosing Pertalite is the uncertainty of the quality of Pertamax fuel available at Gas Stations (SPBU).
She hopes for published fuel quality test results to restore public trust. Tria stated that if there is a better option than Pertamax available in her area, she can leave the Pertamina product.
Similarly, a Pertamax user living in Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan, also feels disadvantaged by the alleged diluted fuel. Shalvia Shahya Sahitya expressed her frustration. "It feels like anger. Turns out, all this time, buying non-subsidized fuel, intending to help the government, yet it turns out we were deceived," she told Tempo on Wednesday morning.
In her area, Shalvia mentioned having to queue longer at the Gas Station to purchase Pertalite. Due to easier availability, Shalvia chose Pertamax for the past year to operate her new motorcycle.
Although feeling disadvantaged, Shalvia stated that she currently has no choice but to use Pertamax. "After knowing this news, normally, I wouldn't be interested anymore. But what can I say, here we only have Pertamax available. Pertalite is difficult to find, especially inland," said Shalvia.
The frustration of Pertamax fuel users is also widely expressed across various social media platforms. According to Tempo's observations, the keyword 'SPBU' became a trending topic on social media X on Wednesday morning, voiced by 7,845 users. In posts with the keyword 'SPBU', users expressed their concerns about the alleged dilution of Pertamax fuel with Pertalite.
"In Yogyakarta, is there an SPBU other than Pertamina, it's really heart-wrenching with the red plate. Been loyal to Pertamax for 5 years, not knowing that the red plate has deceived us. Mad, disappointed, heart-wrenching. The price of Pertalite is sold at the price of Pertamax. Cheated, deceived by the country," quoted from the account Y @merapi_uncover on Wednesday morning.
Previously, the Attorney General's Office named four senior officials of PT Pertamina (Persero) as suspects in a case of alleged corruption in the management of crude oil and refinery product. Broadly speaking, this case involves the blending or dilution of Pertamax fuel with Pertalite.
In line with the appointment of Director General of Pertamina Patra Niaga Riva Siahaan, the Attorney General's Office stated that in the procurement of refinery products by Pertamina Patra Niaga, Riva made purchases or payments for RON 92 fuel whereas in reality, purchased RON 90 or lower. From these purchases, blending was then carried out at the storage or depot to become RON 92.
In response, Vice President Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero) Fadjar Djoko Santoso claimed that the alleged corruption case in their subholding, including PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, did not harm the public.
"For the fuel quality, we ensure that what is sold to the public complies with the specifications determined by the Director General of Oil and Gas (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources or MEMR)," said Fadjar when met by reporters after a meeting with the II Committee of the Regional Representative Council at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, February 25, 2025.
Fadjar assured that there is no diluted fuel circulating in society. According to him, fuel quality is periodically checked by the Institute of Oil and Gas (Lemigas).
"We also conduct our own checks," said Fadjar. Therefore, he claimed that the public receives fuel quality according to the purchased specifications.
Riri Rahayu contributed to the writing of this article.
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