Pertamina takes over Petronas? gas stations in RI

By Godang Sitompul

State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina has taken over the gas stations operated by Petronas in the country after the Malaysian oil and gas firm stopped distributing non-subsidized fuel products in August of last year.

?Pertamina has taken over the gas stations belonging to Petronas, which has no longer distributed non-subsidized fuel products since August 2012,? Director of Downstream Business Management at the Directorate General of Oil and Gas, Umi Asngadah told Petromindo.com Wednesday.

After Petronas shut down its retail fuel business in Indonesia, the remaining retailers distributing non-subsidized fuel products are Pertamina, Shell and Total.

Umi did not say why Petronas shut down its retail fuel business in Indonesia, but as the government continues to provide subsidy for certain fuel products (being distributed solely by Pertamina), it is apparently tough for non-subsidized products to compete.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak