Muara Enim, KOTABARI.COM – The South Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumsel) have once again cracked down on a syndicate involved in the misuse of subsidized fuel at the Talang Padang Gas Station in the Gunung Megang district of Muara Enim. Five perpetrators have been apprehended along with evidence including two vehicles with modified fuel tanks.
“The operation was initiated following information received from the public through the Banpol application regarding the misuse of subsidized fuel using jerry cans on the Hauling Tambang road, with prices exceeding those set by the government,” stated Police Public Relations Director, Commissioner Narto, during a press conference at the South Sumatra Regional Police Headquarters on Monday (4/1/2024).
Accompanied by the Head of the Subdirectorate for Investigation of Criminal Acts against Public Service (Subdit IV Ditreskrimus), AKBP Bagus Suryo Wibowo, and Pertamina Retail South Sumatra Manager, Arman Raharjo, Narto explained that the information was followed up by a team from Subdit IV Ditreskrimus Polda Sumsel led by AKBP Bagus Suryo Wibowo, which confirmed the occurrence of subsidized fuel misuse at the Talang Padang Gas Station.
“The Talang Padang Gas Station in Gunung Megang, Muara Enim, was identified as the source of the subsidized fuel misuse, with the modus operandi of station personnel distributing subsidized solar fuel from biosolar dispensers to known individuals,” revealed Commissioner Sunarto.
“The station personnel would distribute subsidized solar fuel from biosolar dispensers to other known individuals repeatedly. They would use pickup trucks and modified tank-equipped vehicles for this purpose and carry out transactions without using barcodes,” Sunarto explained further.
Sunarto also disclosed that they would channel subsidized fuel through dexlite dispensers, which are intended for non-subsidized buyers, but sell it to subsidy abusers for Rp. 8,500 per liter, enabling them to amass significant quantities for resale to the public at Rp. 14,900 per liter, in line with non-subsidized fuel prices.
The former Public Relations Director of the Riau Regional Police also detailed that on March 21, members of the Subdit IV Ditreskrimsus Polda Sumsel apprehended three perpetrators in the midst of illegal activities.
“Three suspects, KNZ (driver), HDN (vehicle owner), and SPD (gas station operator), were caught transporting and trading government-subsidized oil and liquefied petroleum gas using an Isuzu Panther vehicle with license plate BG 1641 QL, containing a modified tank holding 295 liters of subsidized solar fuel and two red drums holding 350 liters of subsidized solar fuel each. They also had a Chevrolet without license plates containing a modified tank holding 25 liters of subsidized solar fuel,” Sunarto revealed.
Furthermore, Sunarto stated that on Tuesday (3/22/2024), the Subdit IV Tipidter team conducted further investigations at the gas station with Pertamina Patra Niaga.
“The team checked fuel storage tanks containing subsidized solar fuel, originally intended for gas oil dispensers. From there, the team seized a gas oil (non-subsidized) dispenser containing biosolar subsidized fuel and a gas oil (non-subsidized) tank containing biosolar subsidized fuel totaling approximately 10,119 liters,” Sunarto elaborated.
Following this development, Sunarto said that the Subdit IV team successfully arrested JS (34) as the gas station manager and HB (35) as the field supervisor.
Meanwhile, South Sumatra Regional Police Public Relations Director commended the public for their vigilance and use of the Banpol application to report such illegal activities.
On the other hand, AKBP Bagus Suryo, Head of Subdit IV, stated that the suspects would be charged under Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas as amended in Article 40 paragraph 9 of Law No. 6 of 2023 concerning the ratification of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 02 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law, in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code.
“Any person involved in the misuse of government-subsidized fuel transportation, trade, or distribution will face a maximum prison sentence of 6 years and a fine of up to sixty billion rupiahs,” emphasized Bagus Suryo.
Bagus emphasized that investigators would continue to develop leads on other perpetrators and customers or perpetrators of subsidized fuel misuse at the Talang Padang Gas Station suspected of supplying small shops around mining areas.
Pertamina Retail South Sumatra Manager Arman Raharjo appreciated the swift action taken by the South Sumatra Regional Police and promised continued cooperation with them.
“Thanks to the Subdit Tipidter team of the South Sumatra Regional Police, this is a tangible effort by the police to prevent losses to the state and the public. Pertamina will take further steps, if necessary, to take over the operation of the gas station for the benefit of serving the public,” concluded Arman.