Pertamina's responsibility

Pertamina's responsibility

For decades, Pertamina has held a monopoly on the production
of fuel, with the recent exception of certain products such as
premix-grade gasoline. The consequences are felt by us all: the
company has become difficult to control, sluggish and riddled
with corruption, collusion and nepotism. The Balongan refinery is
a good example, so there is no need for anyone to be surprised if
things there get broken so easily.

Pertamina cannot even overcome problems whose nature is clear
to everyone and that are reported in the media. Just consider the
way they tried to solve the problem of fuel smuggling a few
months ago. And this happened in Jakarta, right under the noses
of Pertamina officials. At the time the case was uncovered, the
minister of mining promised to look into the matter. The result?
The case was never heard of again.

People are now speculating that a political plot is behind the
fuel shortage of the past couple of days. But whether such
speculation is warranted, the case proves that doubts about
Pertamina's management are justified. What is important is that
the speculation of a political plot is not used to cover up the
shortcomings at Pertamina. Pertamina must explain the recent fuel
shortage and not try to wash its hands of the matter on any
pretext.

-- Republika, Jakarta