UGM Professor Denies Brebet Motorcycle Issues After Pertalite Interferes With 10 Percent

Discussion of the Yogyakarta Journalists Forum, Thursday, October 30. (Ist)

JAKARTA - Energy economist at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Fahmyani explained the alleged mixing of 10 percent ethanol (E10) in pertalite fuels which were accused of being the cause of the brebet motorbike to a mass strike in a number of areas in East Java (East Java), such as Bojonegoro, Tuban, and Lamongan.

"I don't think it's true. So what is currently using E5 is actually not pertalite, but Pertamax Green with a mixture of 5 percent ethanol. The plan will increase to 10 percent. I don't think Pertalite (uses ethanol)," said Fahmy in the Public Discussion 1 Year Prabowo 'Gibran: Are We Sovereign In Energy? organized by the Yogyakarta Journalists Forum, Thursday, October 30.

Fahmy said that the damage to a number of motorbikes after filling the subsidized fuel needs to be proven by laboratory tests to ascertain what really happened. He assessed that the alleged mixing of pertalite with other materials to trigger engine damage could not be proven.

He also supports government programs that want to implement fuel with a mix of 10 percent ethanol to be implemented immediately in order to achieve clean energy.

However, Fahmi still asked the government to continue to provide fuel without ethanol mixtures because there are still some old vehicles that are not fuel-friendly with ethanol mixtures.

"I support E10, but don't require all fuel mixed with ethanol. Don't let consumers have no choice," he said.

In line with Fahmy, UGM public policy professor Prof. Wahyudi Kumorotomo stated that the issue of pertalite mixed with ethanol to damaging vehicles is misleading information. He views that this issue has the potential to be played by certain parties who feel their interests are disrupted, especially in the chain of oil and gas imports.

"I see that most likely there are people who feel disturbed by their interests among the gas mafia or the oil mafia, that's what then goes against back. They can deploy buzzers, pay billions a day too strong," said Wahyudi.

Ia menilai isu viral seperti itu dapat digunakan sebagai alat serangan balik kelompok yang merasa dirugikan akibat penertiban mafia migas. Pemerintah, lanjut dia, perlu bergerak cepat merespons isu-isu seperti ini sebelum semakin liar.

"The government has many instruments. To fight hoaxes, one of which is that the government can close IP from spreading hoaxes. Kominfo can be deployed," he said.

Meanwhile, from the point of view of economist, Dr. Rudy Badrudin from STIE YKPN Yogyakarta said there was no scientific evidence that Pertalite was the cause of the problem. He considered that this phenomenon could be cassual in one area only, and needed a more detailed technical investigation. Is it because it was thrown by the fuel or is it another aspect? Perhaps the motorbike and so on," said Rudy.

Rudy highlighted the importance of related parties immediately stepping in to conduct field checks. He also appreciated the steps taken by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia who deployed a special team to investigate this problem. He considered this step to be one of the good responses to this polemic.

"If you don't respond, you will end up backfired for the community themselves not to consume fuel from Pertamina," he said.

Previously, it went viral on social media (medsos) motorbikes of residents broke down and broke down en masse in a number of areas in East Java. A number of motorbikes were damaged after drinking Pertalite type fuel which was later narrated there was a mixture of ethanol in the fuel.

As a follow-up step, Pertamina then conducted a laboratory examination of the pertalite sample from the Tuban Fuel Terminal. This examination aims to ensure that product specifications are still in accordance with national quality standards.

In addition, Pertamina also guarantees that the supply of fuel to all gas stations in the East Java region will continue to run smoothly. The public is advised to use fuel wisely and report any alleged obstacles through official channels.