“We must be honest, open, and transparent. On behalf of Pertamina, with the ongoing legal issues related to governance at the company, this has certainly become a concern for all of us," Simon said in response to reporters’ questions at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
"I humbly acknowledge that due to this adulteration case, public trust in Pertamina has declined. This is a major task for us, and we must work hard to win back public confidence,” he added.
Simon explained that the company is implementing corrective measures, including reviewing governance practices and addressing weaknesses to eliminate loopholes for misconduct.
“First and foremost, we must strengthen governance and ensure greater transparency. This way, the public can see that Pertamina’s reform efforts are ongoing. With this, Pertamina can deliver the best possible service to society,” Simon added.
He also addressed some consumers’ decision to purchase fuel from private gas stations instead of Pertamina outlets.
“That is a choice made by the public. We cannot forbid it, because it is their right, and ultimately it will depend on the consumers themselves,” he said.
Simon further pledged that Pertamina would continue improving service quality.
“On behalf of Pertamina, we will continue working hard to produce higher-quality products and to gain stronger support from the public,” Simon said.
Simon attended a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace to report directly on Pertamina’s performance.
The meeting lasted until Friday evening, before the President departed for the Indonesian Air Force Base Ops at Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta to begin his overseas trip to Japan and the United States.
Pertamina is Indonesia’s state-owned enterprise engaged in integrated energy, covering upstream to downstream operations.
Its business activities include exploration, production, processing, distribution, and marketing of oil and gas, as well as other energy ventures.
As the largest energy company in Indonesia, Pertamina plays a strategic role in meeting the nation’s energy needs while driving the growth of its subholdings.
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Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi/Andi Firdaus, Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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