Ombudsman: Fuel Distribution Must Be Free from Maladministration

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has affirmed that the distribution of fuel oil (BBM) must be free from maladministration practices, as it is a vital commodity.

“Such practices include procedural deviations, discrimination, and abuse of authority that can harm the public,” said Deputy Chairman of the Ombudsman RI, Rahmadi Indra Tektona, in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.

The Ombudsman will continue to ensure its presence in meeting the public’s basic needs through distribution monitoring.

One step taken by the Ombudsman RI was monitoring the distribution of Certain Types of Fuel Oil (JBT) and Special Assignment Fuel Types (JBKP) in Surabaya, East Java, on Thursday (2/7).

The monitoring was carried out together with the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), as a concrete implementation of the duties of the Ombudsman RI as a state institution authorised to oversee the delivery of public services, including services provided by state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and private entities with special assignments.

In that oversight agenda, the Ombudsman RI applied the perspective of effective, honest, open, and clean public service governance, as mandated in the Ombudsman RI’s goal of realising a democratic and prosperous state under the rule of law.

“With participatory oversight synergised between the Ombudsman and BPH Migas, it is hoped that every citizen in East Java can obtain equitable access to energy without illegal levies or prolonged distribution obstacles,” said Ghoffar.

He also reminded all public service providers of their obligation to follow up on public complaints seriously in order to safeguard service integrity and strengthen the national legal culture.

The Ombudsman RI remains committed to overseeing every Government energy policy to ensure it genuinely has a positive impact on the people’s welfare, while serving as the front line in eradicating discrimination and maladministration in strategic economic sectors.