Pertamina and Indonesian National Police (POLRI) Collaborate to Uncover Subsidized Fuel Mafia Case in Pasuruan

Pasuruan, July 12, 2023 - To enforce the law in subsidized fuel distribution, Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus collaborates with the Indonesian National Police Headquarters (Mabes POLRI) and East Java Regional Police (Polda Jatim) to uncover subsidized fuel misappropriation practice that troubled the public.

This time, 166 tons of subsidized fuel hoarding case was revealed, carried out by AW as the owner of the capital with the modus operandi of buying subsidized diesel fuel at petrol stations with various license plates to hoard and resell it to industries at a cheaper price than non-subsidized diesel fuel.

It was revealed by the Director of Economic and Special Crime Investigation of the Indonesian National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Mabes POLRI), Brigadier General Hersadwi Rusdiyono, during a press conference at the fuel storage warehouse on Yos Sudarso Street in Pasuruan, East Java, on Tuesday (11/6) afternoon. Also present at the event were the Director of General Crimes of East Java Regional Police, Commissioner Police Farman; the Chief of Pasuruan City Police, Superintendent Police Makung Ismoyo Jati; and the Executive General Manager of Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus, Dwi Puja Ariestya.

Hersadwi revealed that the initial information from the Pertamina team was followed by investigation and case development by the Joint Team of Mabes POLRI, Polda Jatim, and Pertamina. "The suspect, AW, admitted to having been misusing the subsidized fuel since 2016 but temporarily stopped the activity and switched to the timber business, then resumed it in 2021. Meanwhile, three suspects were apprehended, each playing the role of a financier, financial manager, and truck driver," he said.

Executive General Manager of Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus, Dwi Puja Ariestya, expressed Pertamina's appreciation for POLRI's efforts in uncovering this case. "Pertamina Patra Niaga, as the entity entrusted to distribute subsidized fuel by the government, is committed to eradicating the fuel mafia, both at the distribution level and in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to uncover cases," said Ari.

In this case, Pertamina collaborates with the police. After obtaining accurate information in the field, Pertamina's security function provides information feed to the Police Force for further investigation and case development.

"Pertamina has been focusing on developing IT systems in the past two years to minimize fuel distribution misuse at our level. Especially in the solar sector, which is prone to diversion to the Industrial sector, we have implemented a transaction system using QR codes that we all know. Based on this case, the evidence in the form of license plates and QR codes used for this case has been blocked in the system. It means the QR code and license plates can no longer be used to purchase solar fuel," added Ari.

In this case, not only the public but also the country is affected.

"We will support the ongoing legal process, and if there are individuals at the petrol stations involved, we will impose sanctions according to applicable regulations. We also urge consumers not to misuse subsidized fuel as heavy criminal penalties await," concluded Ari.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), Fadjar Djoko Santoso, explained that Pertamina continues to ensure that subsidized fuel distribution reaches its intended targets. One of the ways is through digital technology utilization, such as QR codes. Therefore, the implementation of targeted subsidies can be more measurable and transparent.

"This is our joint effort with the government to distribute subsidized fuel to those who are eligible. We also continue to encourage capable individuals to use Non-Subsidized Fuel," said Fadjar.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**