Faisal Basri also pledged to reveal cases of oil theft that allegedly involved military (TNI) and police members.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The chairman of the Committee for Oil and Gas Management Reform, Faisal Basri, vowed on Monday to unveil cases of oil thefts that have happened till date in South Sumatra.
He said the thefts continued to happen due to a lack of will to eradicate them.
Faisal Basri also pledged to reveal cases of oil theft that allegedly involved military (TNI) and police members.
He even promised to expose what he called "a bigger case."
"God willing, we will reveal even a bigger case. Just wait and see," he said.
Faisal said he has asked community members who knew about oil theft cases that inflicted losses to the state to report these to the authorities.
"If you have data but are afraid to report it, you can just come to the clearing house," he said.
The practice of stealing oil by tapping the oil pipe caused losses to the state-owned PT Pertamina EP has been going on for years but the issue has never been settled till date.
It is believed that the theft involved a syndicate with a huge capital and is supported by rogue elements in the military and police.
PT Pertamina EP has made efforts to prevent such thefts by laying the pipes even deeper into the ground but the illegal tapping still continues.
Some of the stolen crude is sold while the rest is refined using modest equipment.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
