Pertamina forms evaluation team to address corruption concerns

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's national oil and gas company PT Pertamina has set up a Crisis Center Team to conduct a thorough review of its operations, emphasizing its commitment to enhanced governance.

"We have established the Crisis Center Team to evaluate our business processes comprehensively, with a special focus on the operational aspect. We remain committed to making improvements for better governance of Pertamina," the company's president director, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, remarked.

Speaking to the media at a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Monday, Mantiri expressed his determination as Pertamina's leader to exert all-out efforts to maintain the public's trust and confidence in the oil and gas giant.

"More than an asset of the nation, Pertamina is the lifeblood supporting the lives of Indonesian citizens," he stressed.

He further highlighted that in its 67 years of existence, Pertamina has served the nation by fulfilling the people's energy needs.

"We would like to tender a sincere apology to the Indonesian people for our actions that may have hurt your hearts and trust," he told the community.

The president director conveyed these remarks in connection with the alleged corruption in crude oil imports and fuel processing involving Pertamina's subsidiaries and cooperation contract contractors.

These parties are suspected of committing graft offenses between 2018 and 2023, reportedly resulting 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. This alleged foul practice has fueled public concern.

Meanwhile, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry confirmed that Pertamina’s fuel products meet the required specifications and standards after testing 75 fuel samples from gas stations across Jakarta and the surrounding regions.