Car Engine Damaged Due to Pertamax Fuel Went Viral, Pertamina Gives Explanation

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has spoken out regarding a viral video on social media showing a number of cars experiencing engine damage due to using Pertamax fuel.

The video uploaded by the @AraituLaki account on social media X shows a vehicle owner inviting the public to stop consuming Pertamax because their filters and fuel pumps are damaged.

"STOP BUYING PERTAMAX!! Seen in an Official Car Workshop, Many Vehicles Have Damaged Filters and Fuel Pumps which are thought to be due to the POOR Quality of PERTAMAX Fuel!!," wrote the video caption quoted on Tuesday, October 26.

"That's information from one workshop, not to mention other workshops and consumers who have the same fate!" continued the caption.

Responding to the video, Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary Heppy Wulansari said that her party had conducted an internal investigation.

Heppy said, in addition to internal investigations, starting from checking the quality of Pertamax at the BBM Terminal to gas stations, Pertamina Patra Niaga also conducted checks at workshops in the Cibinong area. In addition to coordinating with workshops, Pertamina Patra Niaga also collaborated with LAPI ITB.

"Although the cause is not yet known whether it is from the Pertamax product or from vehicle spare parts, we apologize for this incident. The product quality investigation has been ongoing since last Friday. We continue to coordinate with the workshop and LAPI ITB. We have also sent product samples to Lemigas for further lab testing," explained Corporate Secretary Pertamina Patra Niaga, Heppy Wulansari, quoted on Tuesday, November 26.

From the results of temporary monitoring in the field, Heppy said, vehicles reported to have engine problems only occurred in certain vehicle brands and types, not in all vehicles that were refilled with Pertamax.

Heppy continued that in parallel waiting for the results of the investigation and product testing, his party continued to track vehicles that had problems with their engines.