Jakarta – The alleged corruption case at Pertamina, which is estimated to have caused state losses of Rp968.5 trillion, is evidence of weak oversight of government institutions in the oil governance sector.

“The House of Representatives (DPR), which has an oversight function, obviously holds some responsibility in this matter—meaning there was a lapse in controlling,” said Donny Oktavian Syah, a lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Sciences (FIA) at the University of Indonesia, to Peluang News in Depok, on Friday (February 28, 2025).

Regardless of who is responsible for overseeing Pertamina, Donny, who also heads the Innovation, Policy, and Governance Lab in Depok, hopes that the investigation being conducted by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) will be fair and impartial.

“We must ensure that only certain individuals are not targeted and brought to trial. It is even more important that everyone involved is thoroughly and fairly investigated,” he emphasized.

He urged the DPR and other oversight agencies to treat the Pertamina case as a lesson to enhance their monitoring efforts and prevent future corruption.

Donny expressed confidence that the AGO would not arbitrarily prosecute individuals in the Pertamina case.

“In court, the facts surrounding the involvement of those implicated in fuel adulteration, which suggests corruption, must be proven. However, the principle of presumption of innocence must still be upheld and respected,” he said.

When asked whether the Pertamina case indicates that corruption in Indonesia is worsening, Donny remarked that the greater the amount embezzled and the wider the impact, the more serious the corruption problem appears.

Citing data from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), he noted that Indonesia’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in 2024 improved, with a score rising to 37/100 from 34/100 the previous year.

“This shows a perceived improvement in anti-corruption efforts, but corruption must still be curbed—especially given the significant amount involved in this case,” Donny added.

Notably, the alleged corruption case at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, which the AGO recently exposed, has drawn widespread public attention.

The case not only involves illegal activities causing an estimated state loss of Rp968.5 trillion but also the shocking adulteration of Pertamax fuel with Pertalite.

Chairman of the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN), Mufti Mubarok, emphasized that Indonesian consumers of Pertamina products have the right to sue and claim compensation if the circulating Pertamax is proven to be adulterated Pertalite.

According to the Consumer Protection Law (UUPK), he added, the government or relevant agencies should also file lawsuits due to the significant financial losses and the large number of affected consumers.

BPKN’s legal recommendation follows the AGO’s findings regarding alleged corruption in crude oil management and refinery products at PT Pertamina Subholding and the Cooperation Contract Contractors (KKKS) from 2018 to 2023.

The alleged corruption case involves several high-ranking officials from Pertamina and private companies.

Investigators have named seven suspects, including the President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Riva Siahaan, and several other directors from Pertamina’s subsidiaries.

Source: Peluang News