“Today, together with Pertamina Patra Niaga, we are carrying out a duty to provide the best service to the public, specifically (to check) alleged water content in fuel,” said Laode Sulaeman, Director General of Oil and Gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
Visited stations included SPBU 54.601.79 on Jalan Kayoon street, Surabaya, and SPBU 53.611.01 in Gresik on Wednesday.
According to ANTARA observations, the Ministry conducted a water paste test by applying the paste to a pipe inserted into the fuel. If the paste remains yellow, the fuel contains no water.
At SPBU Kayoon, tests were performed on fuel from trucks, underground tanks, and dispensers. All results showed the paste remained yellow, indicating no water content in the fuel.
“If there were water, the paste would turn red, but this was not found,” Sulaeman said.
In addition to the water paste test, the ministry conducted visual inspections to detect impurities or other contaminants in the fuel. At both stations, no contamination was found, confirming the absence of free water in the fuel.
According to the latest records from Pertamina Patra Niaga as of Wednesday, 162 vehicles experienced engine problems, including 155 motorbikes and seven cars across 13 regions in East Java.
Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that he has deployed a team to verify reports regarding numerous complaints from motorcycle users in East Java experiencing engine problems after refueling with pertalite.
State oil and gas company Pertamina has also deployed an investigation team, set up a public complaint post, and collected fuel samples at several locations.
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Translator: Astrid, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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