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View all search resultsOmbudsman calls for independent probe into reports of Pertalite-linked engine problems
As of Friday, nearly 300 reports of vehicle breakdowns potentially connected to Pertalite had been recorded across at least seven regencies and cities in East Java, 99 percent of which involved motorcycles.
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Market inspection: Officials from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina’s subsidiary, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN), inspect fuel quality on October 29 at the Kayoon gas station in Surabaya, East Java. (Antara/Didik)
T
he East Java Office of the Ombudsman has called on the government to form an independent team to investigate widespread reports of vehicle breakdowns allegedly linked to subsidized fuel distributed by state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina in the province.
The call came after Pertamina’s internal review concluded that all fuel distributed in East Java met the required quality standards.
East Java Ombudsman head Agus Muttaqin said the investigation should not be carried out solely by Pertamina or the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, citing potential conflicts of interest.
“This concerns the public interest. The state must step in and form an independent team to investigate the reports. The team should include national institutions such as the National Consumer Protection Agency [BPKN], as well as academics, energy experts and consumer protection NGOs,” Agus said recently.
He added that if it were proven that Pertamina’s fuel caused the widespread vehicle breakdowns, the company must provide compensation for consumers’ losses unconditionally.
Since last week, reports have circulated online and offline from drivers in East Java claiming their vehicles stalled or broke down after refueling with Pertamina’s subsidized fuel, Pertalite. Many users also reported a stronger, alcohol-like odor coming from the fuel.
The issue was first reported in Bojonegoro and Tuban, where at least 45 residents brought their motorcycles to repair shops with similar engine problems, including sluggish acceleration, misfiring and spark plug failures shortly after refueling with Pertalite.
