Investigasi Kejanggalan Impor Minyak Zatapi Pertamina | PUTAR BALIK

Summary

This detailed investigation uncovers the corruption case involving Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned oil company. In 2008, Pertamina procured crude oil known as 'zat api' from a company called Goldmanner, which raised suspicions due to unusual pricing, lack of transparency, and unclear oil composition. The case reveals connections to businessman Riza Khalid, whose companies were linked to Goldmanner. Despite claims of cost savings, the procurement process was flawed, with potential fraud and irregularities uncovered. Despite investigations by the police and audits, key figures, including Riza Khalid, evaded legal consequences, leaving the corruption case unresolved.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 2008, Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned oil company, faced allegations of corruption linked to the procurement of crude oil known as 'zat api' from a company called Goldmanner.
• 😀 The tender for crude oil procurement in 2007 raised suspicions as Goldmanner, a relatively unknown company, won the bid offering 'zat api' at an unusually low price.
• 😀 Concerns arose about the transparency of the 'zat api' oil's composition, with traders questioning the product's quality and origin, and Pertamina not providing sufficient information about it.
• 😀 The crude oil named 'zat api' was rumored to be a mixture of Darblend oil from Sudan and Trengganu condensate from Malaysia, though Pertamina did not confirm these details.
• 😀 Pertamina's explanation that 'zat api' was purchased at a discount did not convince all, as independent calculations suggested the price was still too high, leading to further doubts about the deal's legitimacy.
• 😀 A key issue in the case was the absence of proper documentation, particularly the 'certificate of origin' for 'zat api,' which raised questions about the oil's authenticity and its handling during transport.
• 😀 Anomalies in the shipment of 'zat api' were noted, including discrepancies in the oil's volume and the presence of additional nafta, possibly from Singapore, further complicating the investigation.
• 😀 Key individuals, such as Riza Khalid, a businessman linked to Global Energy Resources, were implicated in the procurement process, raising concerns about conflict of interest and improper influence.
• 😀 Despite internal investigations, including audits and police inquiries, the case faced significant delays, and those responsible were not held accountable by the end of the investigation in 2010.
• 😀 The case highlighted systemic issues within Pertamina, including poor governance, lack of transparency, and the involvement of high-ranking officials in questionable business dealings.

Q & A

What was the main issue that arose in Pertamina's 2008 crude oil procurement tender?

The main issue was the questionable procurement of crude oil through a company called Goldmanner. There were concerns about the oil's quality, origin, and the lack of transparency in the tender process, especially regarding the oil product named Zatapi.

How did the product Zatapi become controversial in the market?

Zatapi was not a known product in the global oil market, which raised suspicions among traders. There were rumors that it was a mix of other oils with questionable quality, and it was feared that it could damage Pertamina's Cilacap refinery.

What were the key irregularities found in the procurement process of Zatapi oil?

Irregularities included the lack of clear documentation about the origin and composition of Zatapi oil, missing quality certifications, and a questionable laboratory testing process. Additionally, the oil was reportedly sold at a higher price than initially claimed, which raised concerns about the deal's fairness.

What role did Riza Khalid play in the case?

Riza Khalid, a businessman, was connected to Goldmanner and had ties to various companies involved in the oil business. His connections raised suspicions about the manipulation of the procurement process in favor of certain interests.

Why was Pertamina's transparency questioned regarding the Zatapi oil purchase?

Pertamina's transparency was questioned because the company failed to provide clear information on the composition and origin of Zatapi oil, and the official documents related to the purchase appeared to be incomplete or falsified.

What specific documents were considered suspicious in the procurement of Zatapi oil?

The most suspicious document was the Certificate of Origin, which failed to identify the source or ownership of the oil. The documents accompanying the shipment of Zatapi were also vague, with incomplete details about the oil's origin or the shipping process.

How did the involvement of Goldmanner raise further concerns?

Goldmanner was a relatively unknown company with low assets, making it unlikely to qualify as a reliable partner for Pertamina. Additionally, the company's directors were linked to other entities that had previously done business with Pertamina, raising suspicions of collusion and favoritism.

What was the outcome of the police investigation into the case?

In 2008, the Indonesian police began investigating the case and identified several suspects, including Pertamina executives and Goldmanner directors. However, by 2010, the investigation was closed, and no criminal charges were filed against the key figures involved.

What was the role of the Indonesian Financial Audit Agency (BPK) in the case?

The BPK was tasked with auditing the situation and concluded that there was no state financial loss, even though there were procedural violations in the procurement process. This report contradicted earlier findings from other agencies, such as the police.

What was the final outcome for those involved in the Pertamina oil procurement scandal?

Despite the significant irregularities and the public outcry, no one was held criminally accountable for the scandal. The key figures, including Riza Khalid and several Pertamina officials, were cleared of legal charges, and the case was effectively closed without any major consequences.