22 Vehicles Stalled, Juanda Petrol Station in Bekasi Closed Due to Water-Contaminated Pertalite
A public petrol station (SPBU 34.171.46) located on Jalan Ir. H. Juanda in Margahayu Village, East Bekasi District, Bekasi City, was forced to halt operations entirely from Saturday afternoon (28 February) following an incident in which dozens of vehicles stalled after refuelling with water-contaminated Pertalite fuel.
According to field data, at least 22 vehicles were affected, comprising 18 motorcycles and four cars. The incident went viral on social media after several riders posted videos of technicians draining vehicle tanks containing cloudy liquid resembling milk.
The Juanda petrol station supervisor, Ragil Pambudi, explained that reports began flooding in to management on Saturday around 17:30 local time. Riders complained of engine sputtering before complete shutdown just metres after leaving the fuel dispenser area.
“We immediately closed operations that afternoon to prevent further casualties. Our focus was on assisting affected customers on site,” Ragil said when met in Bekasi on Sunday (1 March).
The petrol station strongly suspects water contamination occurred in the underground storage tank (pendam tank). Ragil noted that technical maintenance work was being conducted on the tank installation at the time of the incident.
“Our initial assessment is that water entered the pendam tank because the area was undergoing technical work. We can confirm this did not come from the delivery truck but rather from a problem with our storage installation,” he added.
He also stressed that the petrol station location was not experiencing flooding when the incident occurred.
PT Pertamina Patra Niaga West Java Regional (JBB) has instructed the station to assume full responsibility. As an initial step, the station has established a Complaints Post at its operational office.
Compensation offered to affected vehicle owners includes assistance with vehicle repairs.
Technical teams from Pertamina continue conducting thorough investigation and laboratory testing of fuel samples from the Juanda station. Barrier lines have been placed around the dispenser area to prevent any refuelling during the investigation process.
“We cannot yet confirm when operations will resume. The station will reopen only after Pertamina headquarters determines that all facilities are completely safe and free from water contamination,” Ragil concluded.
For residents of East Bekasi requiring fuel, they are advised to temporarily switch to nearby petrol stations such as the station on Jalan KH Agus Salim or another Juanda station located approximately 1–2 kilometres from the incident site.