PRIME NEWS POST
Jakarta – Public calls for comprehensive reform at PT Pertamina (Persero) have grown stronger again. This time, the demand comes from Andianto, Coordinator of the Prabowo Presiden Volunteer Front, who firmly urges President Prabowo Subianto to immediately suspend and dismiss Mars Ega Legowo Putra from his position as President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga and CEO of Pertamina’s Mainstream Subholding (Downstream–Midstream).
The call has become more urgent following the strengthening of Pertamina’s subholding structure, where PT Pertamina Patra Niaga (PPN) now serves as the backbone of the nation’s downstream and midstream business after PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) was officially merged into PPN. Under this new structure, Mars Ega is no longer just a subsidiary CEO, but directly oversees the nation’s energy downstream business.
“Mars Ega’s position today is not an ordinary role. He is the CEO of Pertamina’s mainstream subholding. If a figure in such a strategic position is left to face legal and ethical issues, the risk will directly impact the state,” Andianto emphasized on Thursday (February 6).
Named Dozens of Times in Corruption Indictment
Mars Ega Legowo Putra’s name has been repeatedly mentioned in the indictment of the alleged “counterfeit Pertamax” corruption case currently being heard at the Jakarta Corruption Court. The case is part of a major scandal involving the management of crude oil and refinery products at Pertamina between 2018–2023.
In the prosecutor’s indictment, Mars Ega is named at least 28 times, while former PT Pertamina (Persero) President Director Nicke Widyawati is named 20 times. Both are alleged to have assisted defendant Alfian Nasution, former CEO of Pertamina Patra Niaga, in proposing the purchase of Pertalite fuel at a price equivalent to Pertamax to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).
Prosecutors revealed that Alfian and Mars Ega formulated the Pertalite Market Index Price (HIP) using calculations for blending RON 88 and RON 92 (which are higher in cost), even though the actual product was made by mixing HOMC and naphtha at a much lower cost.
As a result of these practices, the state is alleged to have suffered losses of up to Rp13.11 trillion, both through inflated government compensation and undue profits earned by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga.
“If a strategic state-owned enterprise (SOE) CEO is part of a corruption case indictment, suspending them is a moral and ethical imperative for the position, not a political choice,” Andianto added.
B40 Performance and Alleged “The Real Counterfeit”
Beyond the Pertalite case, the Sentinel Law and Society Research Institute has raised new allegations that are deemed to further weaken Mars Ega Legowo’s position. Sentinel urges law enforcement authorities to investigate Mars Ega over alleged corruption in the production and sale of Biosolar B40 Performance.
Sentinel found indications that Afton Chemical was directly appointed as the additive supplier without a tender process, which is deemed to violate Good Corporate Governance (GCG) principles and create room for conflicts of interest and potential price mark-ups.
Furthermore, Sentinel revealed that the additive mixing method was carried out manually at operational units, rather than through standardized blending processes at refineries. This practice is referred to as “The Real Counterfeit.”
“The public and industry pay a premium price for the ‘Performance’ product. If it is true that it is merely diesel mixed with additives manually, this is large-scale public deception,” Sentinel emphasized.
Bad Precedent for Prabowo’s Administration
The Prabowo Presiden Volunteer Front believes that retaining Mars Ega Legowo as CEO of Pertamina’s Mainstream Subholding would set a bad precedent for President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, which has prioritized SOE reform and a war on corruption from the start.
This view aligns with that of Yusri Usman, Executive Director of the Center of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI), who argues that the Attorney General’s Office should name Nicke Widyawati and Mars Ega Legowo as suspects.
“It is unreasonable for them not to be held accountable. They held key positions in making strategic decisions regarding the management of fuel imports and distribution,” Yusri stated.
CERI also referenced findings by the Supreme Audit Board (BPK) regarding the sale of industrial diesel to mining companies at prices below the Cost of Production (HPP), as well as the Pertalite HIP formula policy alleged to have caused over Rp13 trillion in state losses.
Firm Call to the President
Andianto stressed that suspending or dismissing Mars Ega Legowo is essential to ensure law enforcement proceeds without conflicts of interest or the shadow of power.
“This is not about court verdicts; it is about professional ethics and public trust. President Prabowo must set an example that anyone deeply entangled in a corruption case is unfit to manage the nation’s energy assets,” he concluded.
The Prabowo Presiden Volunteer Front stated it will continue to monitor the case and support efforts by the Attorney General’s Office and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to conduct impartial investigations into alleged corruption in the national energy sector.
Reported from various media sources / Photo: Special, Document: Google / Contribution from Prime News Post
