Pertamina Patra Niaga Appreciates North Sumatra Regional Police for Revealing LPG Adulteration

Medan, February 7, 2024 - PT Pertamina Patra Niaga North Sumatra Region (Sumbagut) appreciates the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (Dit Reskrimsus) of the North Sumatra Regional Police for arresting the perpetrators involved in the criminal act of adulterating subsidized LPG cylinders in Pakpak Bharat Regency.

"We highly appreciate the police action, especially by the North Sumatra Regional Police, who successfully apprehended individuals involved in adulterating subsidized LPG. Adulterating subsidized LPG can cause losses to the community," said Susanto August Satria, Area Manager of Comm, Rel & CSR of Pertamina Patra Niaga Sumbagut Region, on Wednesday, (7/2).

He explained that besides the financial losses due to the subsidized 3 kg LPG scarcity for the public, there are also pressing security concerns associated with the criminal practice of adulteration. Transferring and filling LPG from subsidized cylinders to non-subsidized ones is highly dangerous and does not comply with safety standards. Thus, the potential for accidents and fires is very likely.

Satria urged the public to immediately report any suspicions of 3 kg LPG adulteration to the appropriate authorities (the police). He also reminded all official LPG distribution channels not to allow any 3 kg LPG misuse.

"We will impose strict sanctions if any Pertamina LPG agents fail to comply with the regulations, as 3 kg LPG is a subsidized item by the nation, and its usage is regulated to target the appropriate recipients," he said.

Previously, the North Sumatra Regional Police arrested two individuals involved in the criminal act of adulterating subsidized LPG cylinders in Dusun Mbinalun, Nan Jombal Village, Sitellu Tali Urang Jahe District, Pakpak Bharat Regency.

According to the North Sumatra Police Public Relations Division Head, Commissioner Pol Hadi Wahyudi, the arrest of the two perpetrators was made after personnel conducted a raid on one of the buildings used as a storage facility for subsidized gas cylinders on Wednesday (31/1).

"During the raid, the officers found the two suspects who were in the middle of adulterating subsidized gas into non-subsidized ones. Both suspects, along with dozens of gas cylinders as evidence, were taken to the North Sumatra Regional Police Headquarters for further investigation and development," said Hadi.

In realizing the targeted distribution of 3 kg LPG, Pertamina Patra Niaga also invites the community to monitor and report any irregularities or misallocations by contacting Pertamina's Contact Center at 135.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, stated that Pertamina fully supports the decisive steps taken by the police in eradicating any 3 kg LPG misuse throughout Indonesia.

"Pertamina will impose strict sanctions on any individuals or LPG stations found to be involved in irregularities. Pertamina has already terminated business relationships to serve as a deterrent," said Fadjar.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**