The recent corruption case involving PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has once again exposed the harmful practices of the oil and gas mafia, causing losses to the state. This alleged corruption is highly systematic, extending beyond mere fuel adulteration to secure huge profits.
Yuris Rezha Darmawan, a researcher at UGM’s Center for Anti-Corruption Studies (Pukat UGM) in the Faculty of Law (FH UGM), stated that if the charges presented by the prosecution in court are proven, the corruption scheme was meticulously planned.
According to Darmawan, the scheme began by manipulating conditions to reduce domestic crude oil production, which then justified importing crude oil.
“This is not the first time such a modus operandi has been used. In other corruption cases involving imports, organized corruption always starts by manipulating product quantities so the government has an excuse to import,” the expert explained on Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025.
Darmawan further elaborated that the import process becomes a breeding ground for corruption through rigged procurement for certain companies and the inflation of import prices.
In the case of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, this practice not only harms fuel consumers but also results in significant financial losses for the state.
In this case, Darmawan noted, the ongoing weaknesses in government and legislative oversight regarding oil and gas management are highlighted, particularly in the context of import policies.
The corruption spanned a considerable period, from 2018 to 2023.
Darmawan stressed that the Attorney General’s Office must take serious measures to uncover all parties involved.
“Law enforcement must be more aggressive in eradicating oil and gas mafia practices, not just by prosecuting individuals but also by tightening oversight systems in the sector,” he added.
Darmawan suggested that the government should consider how to compensate the public directly affected by this corruption.
He believes that policymakers have not adequately addressed mechanisms for impacted communities to file lawsuits.
While there is a possibility of filing class-action lawsuits, access to legal remedies remains difficult, with many cases being dismissed by the courts.
“I think this is something the government needs to address how directly impacted communities have yet to gain fair access to justice,” he said.
He also outlined ways in which the public can actively participate in combating the oil and gas mafia and pushing for regulatory reforms to prevent future corruption.
Strengthening oversight systems that involve the public, media, and civil society organizations is key to reducing opportunities for the oil and gas mafia to exploit.
First, the public can monitor fuel distribution and report any irregularities via the MyPertamina app or Lapor.go.id.
“Second, people can advocate for transparency and accountability at every stage of energy distribution and allocation through media and social media. Both of these platforms can serve as powerful tools to raise awareness through petitions or digital campaigns,” he explained.
According to Darmawan, one major weakness in tackling the oil and gas mafia is the public’s lack of understanding of how these mafias operate.
Therefore, the final step the public can take is to educate others about the mafia’s modus operandi so that citizens become more vigilant and less susceptible to manipulation.
The Pertamina Patra Niaga case serves as a reminder that without public participation, the oil and gas mafia’s practices will continue to repeat, harming both the country and its people.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang
Illustration: Freepik