Fuel smuggling rampant in Batam sea

Fuel smuggling rampant in Batam sea

BATAM, Riau: A local oil businessman has revealed that fuel smuggling frequently takes place off the Nan Indah industrial area in Batam without any action ever taken against the culprits.

The businessman, who refused to be named, said a tanker belonging to a well-known Batam businessman supplied some 200 tons of diesel fuel to a foreign vessel off the Nan Indah industrial area in Tanjungguncang waters.

He declined to reveal the name of the businessman allegedly involved in the illegal sale of fuel at sea.

Dariyanto, a public relations officer for state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina based in Batam, said he was unaware of the case, but added that fuel sales at sea were illegal and action should be taken against anyone suspected of doing so.

If the report is true, the illegal sale would have involved local Navy personnel who guard the area. -- Antara