Musi Banyuasin, KOTABARI.COM – Approximately 400 personnel from various law enforcement agencies, including the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Musi Banyuasin Police Resort (Muba), Criminal Investigation Department of the South Sumatra Regional Police, Mobile Brigade Unit of the South Sumatra Regional Police, Security and Order Unit of the South Sumatra Regional Police, Bayung Lencir Military District, II/4 Palembang Military Police, and Muba Public Order Agency, joined forces in a concerted effort to shut down illegal oil refineries. Today, on Tuesday (21/11/2023), illegal refinery sites in Berdikari Hamlet, Sukajaya Village, Bayung Lencir District, Muba Regency, were targeted in the operation.
Prior to the closure, a readiness briefing took place at 07:30 AM at the Bayung Lencir Police Station, led by the Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of the South Sumatra Regional Police, AKBP Tito Dani SH., MH. The briefing was attended by Deputy Chief of Police of Muba Kompol Malik Fahrin Husnul Aqif SH., Sik, Bayung Lencir Police Chief AKP Bondan Try Hoetomo STK., SIK., MH, as well as senior officials from Muba Police Resort and officers from the South Sumatra Regional Police.
South Sumatra Regional Police Chief, Irjen Pol A. Rachmad Wibowo Sik, arrived at the location via helicopter around 11:00 AM, accompanied by a delegation. They inspected the ongoing closure of illegal oil refineries. Up to the point of the Chief’s arrival, 33 illegal oil refinery sites had been leveled with soil, while several other locations were still in the process of demolition.
In his statement to the media, the Regional Police Chief emphasized that this action was a follow-up to previous warnings given to illegal refinery operators. Despite earlier advisories urging the cessation of these illegal activities, some individuals remained reluctant to comply, prompting this closure initiative.
These illicit activities not only pose environmental hazards but also have the potential to cause financial losses to the state. Illegal refined oil being mixed with subsidized oil leads to a shortage of subsidized fuel for economically disadvantaged citizens. The Police Chief reiterated the commitment to continue the closure until completion and urged an immediate halt to such illicit activities.
On the ground, hundreds of combined personnel were seen ensuring security throughout the demolition process. Although the occupants of the refinery sites were absent, equipment and materials related to the illegal activities were still present, including several oil drums containing illicitly refined oil.
The Regional Police Chief conducted an inspection alongside the Head of Sukajaya Village and its officials before departing the location. The closure process continued smoothly after the Chief’s departure.
This operation serves as a testament to the earnestness of law enforcement authorities in eradicating illegal activities that adversely affect multiple stakeholders. The closure and demolition are intended to set an example for other illegal operators to cease such detrimental activities promptly.