Pertamina Apologizes Amid Public Concerns, Says Pertalite Passes Tests
Jakarta. State energy company Pertamina has confirmed that its subsidized Pertalite gasoline distributed in East Java meets national quality standards, following public complaints that the fuel had allegedly caused motorcycle engine problems in several cities.
Mars Ega Legowo Putra, President Director of Pertamina Patra Niaga, the company’s marketing and distribution subsidiary, said on Thursday that a joint investigation conducted with government agencies found no irregularities in the product’s quality.
“Field tests confirmed there are no quality issues with Pertalite,” Mars Ega said, adding that the company nonetheless takes all consumer feedback seriously.
He offered a public apology to customers who felt dissatisfied.
“We sincerely apologize to all consumers who experienced inconvenience from this issue,” he said.
The inspection was carried out by Pertamina Patra Niaga in coordination with the Directorate General of Oil and Gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and the Oil and Gas Testing Center (Lemigas).
According to Mars Ega, laboratory results showed no traces of water contamination in the fuel samples collected from multiple filling stations. Pertalite, which retails at Rp10,000 (under $1) per liter, remains subsidized by the government.
He added that tests on fuel sourced from Pertamina’s depots in Tuban and Surabaya also confirmed compliance with national standards.
While the initial probe found no violations, Pertamina Patra Niaga will continue further checks at the retail level to ensure consistent quality across distribution channels, he said.
“We are committed to following up every report responsibly,” Mars Ega said. “Pertamina provides multiple official channels for the public to submit feedback or complaints.”
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