Police Arrest Man In Sampit For Changing Pertalite Color Similar To Premium

Kotim Police Chief AKBP Abdoel Harris Jakin accompanied by Ketapang Police Chief AKP Samsul Bahri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The police arrested a man in Sampit, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, with the initials HS for allegedly mixing pertalite fuel oil with certain materials to change its color so that it resembles the color of premium fuel for profit.

"This is quite strange too. Usually it is the case that the mixing resembles the more expensive type of fuel such as pertalite or pertamax, this is actually pertalite mixed so that the color is similar to premium or gasoline. Only the color is similar, about the content, we don't know yet because it needs laboratory testing, "said the East Kotawaringin Police Chief AKBP Abdoel Harris Jakin accompanied by the Ketapang Police Chief AKP Samsul Bahri in Sampit, reported by Antara, Tuesday, October 12.

Jakin explained that this case was revealed last Friday, October 8, starting from public information which was then followed up by the Ketapang Police. Suspected HS was caught red-handed carrying out the copying at home on Jalan Jembatan Kuning Gang Sabar Awaiting Ketapang Village, Mentawa Baru District, Ketapang.

The police secured evidence in the form of a water reservoir with a capacity of 1000 liters, 33 jerry cans, scales, "bleaching earth terram" powder for bleach, premium-like fuel and other evidence.

In his action, HS received services for mixing pertalite by adding "bleaching earth terram" powder. From that process, pertalite which was originally green, turns yellow so it looks like premium.

Sometimes HS also buys pertalite himself from a number of his colleagues, then blends it into fuel that has a similar color to premium colors, then sells it. However, if you look closely, there are still differences, because the yellow color is very sharp, different from the yellow color of premium fuel.

The results of the examination of HS revealed that this forbidden practice was carried out because in remote areas or far from the city center, the premium price was actually more expensive than pertalite, even though the official premium price at gas stations was cheaper than pertalite.

This is because there is an opinion in the community that pertalite damages vehicle engines because it heats up quickly, causes scale and shortens the life of the engine, so many choose to buy premium, while Pertamina's allocation of premium is continuously being reduced.

"With his knowledge, he takes advantage of the limited knowledge of the community. It is proven that he has a large market share, especially people whose domicile is far from Sampit," said Jakin.

HS admitted that he had been doing this forbidden activity for three months. In the operation, which is assisted by two employees, HS makes a profit of around Rp. 1 million per day.

To handle this case, investigators will coordinate with Pertamina and the regional apparatus that handles energy related matters. Investigators are also still developing this case, including by tracing where HS bought the pertalite color changing powder so that it resembles the premium.

"He was charged with 54 of Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas, sub-Article 62 in conjunction with Article 8 of Law No. 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection with a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a fine of Rp. 60 billion," said Jakin. .

Meanwhile, HS admitted that he got the knowledge on how to change the color of pertalite to look like the premium from his colleague in Pangkalan Bun, West Kotawaringin Regency.

"So far, no one has complained about the premium quality of the oplosan. In fact, the demand has increased because since the beginning of Pertalite, it has been considered not good enough. That's why premiums are being sought," said HS.