Having A Strategic Role, Pertamina Balongan Refinery Needs To Be Maintained Together With The Surrounding Community

Balongan, April 19, 2022 - As a National Vital Object (Obvitnas), the Pertamina Balongan Refinery in Indramayu Regency has a significant role in the Indonesian economy. Balongan Refinery is the main fuel supplier for the capital city area (Jakarta) and surrounding areas such as West Java and Banten.

In addition to its national role, the Balongan Refinery will positively impact the Indramayu community and the people living around PT Pertamina Balongan Refinery.

Hery Susanto, Member of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, invites the people of Indramayu to participate in protecting Pertamina's oil refinery as a vital national object. According to Hery, Pertamina's oil refinery is a vital national object to fulfill the people's needs and the state's interests as well as a strategic source of state revenue.

Pertamina owned and managed the oil refinery to provide fuel for the people of Indonesia, Hery Susanto stated as a keynote speaker in a public discussion themed Strengthening the Participation of the Indramayu Community in Protecting Pertamina's Oil Refinery as a Vital National Object, quoted from its release, Saturday (16/4/2022). The activity was held by the NGO Abdi Negara Indramayu Branch at a hotel in Indramayu Regency, West Java Province.

Hery further explained, based on the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number: 159.K/90/MEM/2020 concerning Amendments to the Decree of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 77 K/90/Mem/2019 concerning National Vital Objects in the Energy and Mineral Resources Sector, Refinery Unit VI Balongan Indramayu is a vital object national that must be maintained.

Hery also asked PT Pertamina (Persero) and its sub holdings to educate the public about the function of the Pertamina oil refinery as a national vital object (obvitnas), especially around the location of PT Pertamina's oil management.

Pertamina as a public service provider in the energy sector, Hery hopes that Pertamina can accelerate the completion of public reports by optimizing the focal point of the reported agency.

In addition, to supervise public service and prevent maladministration, especially in the energy sector providing fuel for the public, coordination and cooperation can be established with all stakeholders, such as the central/regional government, campuses, the press, mass organizations/NGOs, and business groups.

Imam Rismanto, Area Manager Communication Relations & CSR of PT KPI Refinery Unit VI Balongan, during the Public Discussio,n explained, aligned with the statement by Member of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia Hery Susanto, the existence of the Balongan Refinery also has a positive impact on the Indramayu community and the people living around PT Pertamina International Refinery Unit VI (KPI) Refinery Unit VI Balongan, especially from the multiplier effects on the economy.

Therefore, the Balongan refinery needs to be maintained by the community to carry out their duties and responsibilities to meet the domestic energy needs without obstacles.

Also present in the discussion as speakers were Maman Kostaman, Assistant II of the Indramayu Regency Government, Wawan Sugiarto of Indramayu social activist, Iing Rohimin, Deputy Chair of the West Java PWNU, and Aris Syuhada, Chairman of the NGO Abdi Negara Indramayu.**