Pertamina says it'll brush up to compete on global scale

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a bid to improve its service quality, the state oil company has launched a certification program for its gas stations to enable them to compete with gas stations run by foreign operators.

"With the liberalization in the downstream industries, this sector has become more competitive due to the emergence of many new competitors," said Ari Soemarno, the CEO of Pertamina, in his speech at the launch of the Pertamina Pasti Pas certification program Saturday.

"The program aims to create an effective and efficient company so it can become one of the world's best," Ari said.

The Pasti Pas Program focuses on quality and quantity, staff, facilities and equipment, physical performance and public service.

Ari said that out of about 3,500 gas stations throughout the country, 80 had met the standard, 40 of which are in Jakarta.

"We are now focusing on the big cities first," Ari added.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro presided over the program at a Gatot Subroto gas station in Central Jakarta.

"We believe that Pertamina will be able to conquer the challenge because we are more experienced in the domestic market," said Purnomo.

However, the program is yet to be successful.

Despite Pertamina' efforts to improve services at their gas stations, many Jakarta vehicle owners prefer foreign gasoline companies because they believe they offer better handling for car engines. engines

Motorcyclist Urip, who had just filled his motorcycle, said that although in general Pertamina's gas stations were not that bad, in some places the operators often didn't return customers' change.

For Runi, a van owner, the arrival of foreign gas stations in Jakarta was good because it provided people with more choices in finding the best for their vehicles.

"I use Shell's gas stations because I think the quality of its gasoline is better," she said.

She added that many Indonesian gas stations sold diluted fuel.

"My car is an old one, so I have to be more careful in its maintenance, although the price of gas is more expensive," said Runi, a resident of Kemanggisan.

With the passing of a law in 2001, Pertamina lost its local monopoly on oil, fuel and gas. The is meant to allow reasonable, safe and transparent foreign businesses to operate in the industry.

The country now has two foreign gas companies, Shell and Petronas, operating several gas stations in the city. Shell became the first company to enter Indonesia's fuel business in 2005. It now has 10 gas stations in Greater Jakarta.

Jakarta has at least 2.5 million private cars, four million motorcycles and 250,000 taxis and buses. The 6,750,000 vehicles consume nearly seven million liters gasoline each day.