Pertamina Raises False News About Fuel

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - Pertamina Patra Niaga straightens out the fake news that has recently been circulating on social media regarding fuel oil and Public Fuel Filling Stations (SPBU) that are troubling the public.

"There are three types of fake news that have been circulating on social media and we need to clarify that that is not true," said the Area Manager of Communication and CSR of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus, Sunday Rahedi in a written statement submitted to the media in Pamekasan, quoted by Antara, Saturday, September 27.

The three fake news, first, restrictions on filling up to 7 days of fuel for cars and 4 days for motorbikes, and the ban on vehicle tax arrears is not true.

He explained that the distribution of fuel, especially subsidized fuel, would continue to run according to government regulations through applicable mechanisms to make it more targeted and transparent.

"And this has also been conveyed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources through a spokesman for KESDM," he said.

Second, he continued, there was a gas station fire due to the fuel restriction policy, which was also not true.

According to Rahedi, the video circulating is an old recording of a different incident, namely the gas station fire incident in Aceh in 2024.

"Third, is a viral video of Lumajang, where people are said to have raided gas stations. That is also a hoax," he said.

He explained that the real incident was on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, when there was a carnival in Sentul Village, Lumajang.

Due to heavy rains, the crowd gathered to take shelter in the gas station area which had been closed since 21:00 WIB. The commotion occurred due to the influence of alcohol, not due to gas station services. There was no looting or damage, only garbage scattered the next day.

Pertamina, he continued, regretted the circulation of the fake news, because it had defamed the State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), as well as the government which is currently helping and being a protector in order to provide the best service for the community.

Pj. Pertamina Patra Niaga Corporate Secretary Roberth MV Dumatubun appealed to the public to be observant and careful about the various forms of disinformation that are often circulated.

"In addition to the issue of fuel restrictions, the public also needs to be aware of other hoaxes such as fictitious recruitment that asks for fees, news of Pertamina's tank cars filling in private gas stations, as well as false information regarding prices," said Roberth.

Pertamina Patra Niaga invites the public to always ensure the truth of information through the company's official channel, namely Pertamina Call Center 135 and Pertamina's official social media account.