Fishermen find fake fuels

Dozens of fishermen in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, were reluctant to take to the sea when they discovered that the diesel fuel they had purchased from a floating kiosk had a muddy color.

They were strongly convinced that the fuel was fake or had been mixed with kerosene.

The fishermen, who mostly sell their catch at the Muara Baru port, said that the engines of their boats immediately overheated after using the fuel.

"We're afraid that the machine would break down at sea and endanger our lives," said Budihardjo, a fisherman.

Eddy Yuwono, an official of the Tuna Fish Fishermen Association (APPIT), was quoted by Suara Karya as saying yesterday that he had asked the kiosk's owner to examine the content of the fuel.

The conclusion has not yet been reported, he said. (bsr)