Pertamina publicly apologizes for uproar over corruption allegations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Director of state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, has issued a public apology over nationwide outrage stemming from corruption allegations involving the company’s subsidiaries.

"I, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, as the President Director of Pertamina, sincerely apologize to the people of Indonesia for the recent controversy," he stated during a press conference at Pertamina's headquarters in Jakarta on Monday.

Mantiri emphasized that Pertamina acknowledges public concerns regarding the alleged corruption, which revolves around crude oil imports and fuel processing.

In response, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving its governance and ensuring that all fuel products meet government standards for quality.

"We will conduct self-evaluations. We will make the necessary improvements," he assured.

During the press conference, he also highlighted that laboratory tests conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on 75 fuel samples confirmed that Pertamina’s fuel products comply with government specifications.

"These results further motivate us to continue monitoring and inspecting Pertamina gas stations nationwide," he added.

Mantiri’s statement followed revelations of alleged corruption involving Pertamina’s subsidiaries and cooperation contract contractors between 2018 and 2023, which reportedly resulted in state losses of nearly Rp194 trillion (approximately US$11.7 billion).

The Attorney General’s Office has accused Riva Siahaan, President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, of falsely reporting the procurement of RON 90 fuel or lower-grade fuel as RON 92.

Additionally, reports indicate that the lower-grade fuel was blended at storage facilities or depots to produce Pertamax, Pertamina’s RON 92 fuel product -- a practice that is not permitted. This revelation has fueled public concern.

Meanwhile, the ESDM Ministry, after testing fuel samples from gas stations across Jakarta and surrounding regions, confirmed that Pertamina’s fuel products meet the required specifications and standards.