Pertamina and the East Java Regional Police Criminal Investigation Team Arrest Suspected Fuel Subsidy Misuse Perpetrator at Sidoarjo Petrol Station

Sidoarjo, East Java, November 4, 2023 - In line with their commitment to enforce the law in the subsidized fuel distribution, Pertamina's supervision team, in collaboration with East Java Regional Police Criminal Investigation Team (Polda Jatim), once again apprehended suspected subsidized fuel misuse perpetrators on Thursday, November 2, at 5461218 Petrol Station, on Simorame Street in the Candi District of Sidoarjo Regency.

The case began when the joint team monitored the situation for some time and observed suspicious activities involving a truck with license number S 8284 UX, which was refueling Biosolar subsidized fuel at 5461218 Petrol Station in Sidoarjo.

Upon receiving the report of these findings, the East Java Regional Police Criminal Investigation Team took action in capturing the truck with license number S 8284 UX on suspicion of subsidized fuel misuse.

At the scene, officers discovered a modified Mitsubishi Dyna truck with a tank capacity of approximately four tons with the car key and vehicle registration, a payment receipt, and around two tons (about 2,454 liters) of subsidized Biosolar fuel.

Based on the information from the scene, the modified truck had been refilling Biosolar fuel using different barcodes and license plates as part of their modus operandi. Based on these findings, the truck unit, its driver, and the petrol station operator were taken to the East Java Regional Police for further investigation and development into alleged irregularities in subsidized fuel.

Regarding the alleged involvement of certain petrol station operators who participated in distributing subsidized Biosolar fuel in violation of procedures, Pertamina will further coordinate with law enforcement agencies. In response to this case, the petrol station was suspended, and halted the Biosolar fuel supply for one month.

For consumers who regularly purchase diesel fuel at this gas station, services are still available at the nearest petrol stations, such as 5461252 and 5461206 Petrol Stations.

Pertamina Patra Niaga, the entity tasked with distributing subsidized fuel by the government, continues to combat the subsidized fuel mafia, both within the distribution channels and in collaboration with law enforcement officials, to uncover such cases.

As of the end of October 2023, in the East Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara regions (Jatimbalinus), a total of 32 criminal cases related to subsidized fuel misuse have been successfully uncovered through the synergy of Pertamina, the Indonesian National Army (TNI), and the National Police (POLRI).

Ahad Rahedi, Area Manager for Communication Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Pertamina Patra Niaga Jatimbalinus, stated that subsidized fuel misuse and hoarding are criminal activities that inflict substantial harm on the nation.

"The subsidized fuel misuse also causes misery to the community because it has the potential to cause shortages due to the allocated quota calculated to meet the public's needs," explained Ahad in a separate statement on Saturday (4/11).

"The existence of such abusive practices has hurt the public, especially those entitled to use subsidized fuel, and has caused mistargeted government subsidies," he added.

Furthermore, BPH Migas (the Indonesian Oil and Gas Regulator) also regulates the subsidized fuel distribution control through Regulation No. 04/P3JBT/BPH Migas/Kom/2020 regarding the Control of Specific Fuel Types Distribution by Implementing Business Entities to Consumers of Motorized Vehicles for Passenger or Freight Transport.

If the public suspects any subsidized fuel misuse in their area, it is encouraged to report it to the nearest police station. For feedback and complaints regarding Pertamina's products and services, contact the Pertamina Call Center (PCC) at 135.**