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