Court orders Pertamina to restore Panutan's rights
Wednesday, July 5 2000 - 03:15 AM WIB
The Jakarta Administrative Court on Tuesday ordered state-own oil and gas firm Pertamina to cancel its decision of suspending distributor company PT Panutan Selaras from distributing Pertamina's fuels.
In its decision, signed by sole judge Yulius, the court contended that Pertamina decision was based on its agreement with Panutan and not on the interests of the public.
Panutan president Anton Poniman said that he was happy with the court's decision, however, he said that Pertamina had not yet annulled its decision against Panutan.
"As a state company, Pertamina should abide by the law. However, we regret that Pertamina as of this time (on Tuesday) had not yet implemented the court's decision," Anton said.
He noted that the suspension since May 25, the company had suffered a potential loss of Rp 2 billion, of which Rp 1 billion was a deposit by Panutan with Pertamina for payment on the delivery orders.
Panutan distributes about 5 million litters of high-octane gasoline or premix per month for the Greater Jakarta areas and West Java.
Panutan is one of a few companies that got privileges from Pertamina to process and distribute premix fuels. The other companies are all related to the former president Soeharto family. They are PT Humpuss (Tommy Soeharto), PT Elnusa (Bambang Trihatmodjo), PT Giga Intrax and PT SPA - both affiliated to the Soeharto family.
Panutan itself is owned by Johny Hermanto, a friend of Sigit Harjojudanto, Soeharto's eldest son.
The court unusually handed down its decision so quick, as the case was registered by Panutan with the court only last Friday.
Meanwhile, the head of Pertamina's Domestic Supplies and Marketing for Jakarta and West Java, Tuty Anggrahini, said the company would fight for its case against Panutan.
"We have given several warnings to Panutan, but they do not care of them. Therefore, I will face the administrative court decision," she said.
She noted that Pertamina was considering removing the sanction against Panutan, but Pertamina could not do it now as it was still studying the impacts as Panutan was not the only one sanctioned by Pertamina. (*)