Jakarta – The state-owned oil and gas company's subsidiary, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN), has launched an investigation into the quality of its subsidized Pertalite fuel following numerous reports from drivers in East Java whose vehicles allegedly broke down after using the product.
Ahad Rahedi, spokesperson for PT PPN in East Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara, said that over the past few days the company has received reports of vehicle breakdowns suspected to be linked to Pertalite in several areas, including Lamongan, Gresik, Bojonegoro, Tuban, Surabaya, Sidoarjo and Malang.
"We have conducted laboratory tests on Pertalite from the Tuban and Surabaya terminals, and the results confirm that the fuel meets our specifications," he said on Tuesday as quoted by Tempo.co.
"Further investigations are currently underway to check the quality of Pertalite at gas stations, the final point of distribution to the public, to ensure the fuel meets our standards," Ahad added.
He also stated that PT PPN has set up 15 reporting posts in Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Lamongan, Gresik and Bojonegoro to receive complaints from customers.
PT PPN has pledged to cover customers' vehicle repair costs if it is confirmed that the damage was caused by the company's fuel.
Customers can report vehicle breakdowns at the gas station where the fuel was purchased and provide proof of the transaction. Station staff will help them complete a consumer complaint form detailing the incident and the vehicle's condition.
If the investigation confirms that the fuel caused the damage, the vehicle will be sent to an authorized repair workshop appointed by PT PPN for inspection and repairs, all covered by the company.
Since last week, reports have been circulating both online and offline from drivers in East Java complaining that their vehicles stalled or broke down after refueling with Pertalite. Many users also noted a stronger, alcohol-like odor coming from the fuel.
Nur Salim, a motorcycle repair shop owner in Gresik, said he has seen a surge in customers over the past few days, most of whom reported refueling with Pertalite before experiencing engine problems.
"In the past few days, I've been seeing at least two or three motorcycles per day with incomplete combustion issues. We suspect the problem may be related to the quality of the fuel," he said on Tuesday, as quoted by Kompas.com.
"We drained the tanks and refilled them with new fuel, replaced spark plugs and fuel filters, and in some cases even changed the injectors. On average, customers spent around Rp 200,000 (US$12) on repairs," Nur added.
Robin, an online motorcycle taxi driver from Jombang, said he bought Pertalite from a local gas station in his city on Monday night, and the following morning his motorcycle broke down.
"My motorcycle suddenly stalled, so I immediately took it to a repair shop, where I saw seven or eight other motorcycles experiencing the same problem," he said on Tuesday.
He added that his motorcycle returned to normal after the mechanics drained the fuel tank and replaced the fuel with Pertamina's non-subsidized gasoline, Pertamax.
"Other motorcycles also returned to normal after receiving the same treatment," Robin said.
Fadilah, a 35-year-old resident of Gresik, shared a similar experience, saying that his motorcycle broke down on Monday night, just hours after he refueled it with Pertalite.
"I took it to a repair shop, and the mechanic decided to drain the fuel tank, refill it with Pertamax, and replace the spark plug. I spent a total of Rp 60,000 at the shop," he said on Wednesday, as quoted by Kompas.id.
He said the incident has sparked his concern about the lack of options available to consumers when buying fuel in Indonesia.
"It happened when private gas stations had also run out of gasoline, so we had no choice but to buy from Pertamina stations," he said.
Over the past week, several Shell and BP gas stations across the country have reportedly run low on fuel, with some suspending sales of key products. Industry representatives argue that the shortage stems from a regulatory change issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, which shortened the validity of fuel import permits for private operators from one year to six months starting this year.