ITB Expert Calls Changes In Pertalite Colors Not Influence Quality

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) mechanical expert Iman Kartolaksono Reksowardojo assessed that the change in color to Pertalite that the community has recently met has not affected the quality at all.

Meanwhile, Pertalite's alleged quality is now decreasing and more wasteful, he said, is a subjective assessment.

"The color has no effect on the quality of fuel," said Iman in a written statement, Monday, September 26.

According to Imam, the change in the color of Pertalite cannot be used as a measure. This needs laboratory proof.

"Unable to assess the quality of fuel only from daily habits, because the assessment is not controlled," he said.

Iman added that the testing must be carried out on an apple to apple basis, namely between the old Pertalite (before the subsidized fuel rises) and the current Pertalite.

Likewise, conditions, routes, testing hours, including types of vehicles carried out to test must also be the same.

Imam said, if there is only one thing that is different, it will certainly affect testing.

For example, if the route is different, even if it is carried out by the same vehicle, it will certainly give a different result, the price of the burning price is different.

"Therefore, testing must be apple to apple. In essence, there must be testing. Don't just subjectivity," said Iman.

Previously, social media was shocked by complaints about the use of Pertalite type fuel oil (BBM).

The fuel with RON 90 is considered to have decreased quality and was even more wasteful after the price rose from Rp. 7,650 per liter to Rp. 10,000 per liter.

In response to this, Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary Irto Ginting emphasized that Pertalite did not experience changes in specifications.

Irto added that the standard and quality of pertalite marketed through the official distribution agency in Indonesia is in accordance with the Decree of the Director General of Oil and Gas Number 0486.K/10/DJM.S/2017 concerning Standards and Quality (Specification) for Fuel Oil Type 90 which is marketed domestically.

Pertamina also always ensures that quality control runs for each product and distributes quality fuel products according to the specified specifications.

Irto also mentioned that the limits in the specifications of the Director General of Oil and Gas which show the level of evaporation at room temperature include the left-handed Vapour Pressure (RVP) parameters.

"Currently, the results of the RVP test from Pertalite distributed from Pertamina's Fuel Oil Terminal (TBM) are still within the allowed limits, namely in the range of 45-69 kPa (Kilopascal)," said Irto through violence to the media, Wednesday, September 21.