Pertamina Appreciates Police and TNI For Arresting Individuals Who Misuse Subsidized Solar: Here's How Pertamina Gives a Deterrent Effect

Jakarta, April 1, 2022 – Pertamina appreciates the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), who succeeded in cracking down on the misuse of Subsidized Solar in several areas in Indonesia. Pertamina also imposed sanctions on petrol stations that were proven to have misappropriated the subsidized product.

Several arrests were made at the Penajam SPBN (special fuel filling station for fishers) and the KM 9 petrol station in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan, through the Director of Criminal Investigation at the East Kalimantan Police, and managed to confiscate more than 1.4 tons of subsidized diesel. Seven people became suspects in this arrest, along with evidence of a 6-wheeled truck with a modified tank.

In another region, the South Sumatera Police Chief also managed to find adulterated diesel fuel in an illegal warehouse in Gunung Megang Sub-district, Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatera. They confiscated 108 tons of adulterated diesel and six tank cars carrying adulterated diesel along with adulterated equipment, and arrested six suspects.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, the TNI, through Kodim 0503, has also arrested the diesel fuel hoarder in West Jakarta. The method used is buying subsidized diesel at petrol stations around West Jakarta and then hoarding and selling around 12 tons of diesel per day to the industry at a much higher price.

"This is a practice that is indeed very detrimental for the state, and this practice is one of the causes of the reduced diesel volume at petrol stations which caused diesel queues some time ago. Pertamina expresses its appreciation for the fast movement of the Indonesian National Police and TNI in taking action against individuals who misuse subsidized diesel fuel intended for people in need," said Fajriyah Usman, Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero).

For information, throughout 2021, Pertamina has also imposed sanctions on no less than 100 rogue petrol stations proven to commit fraud, including filling subsidized diesel fuel with jerry cans without a recommendation letter, filling modified vehicles, fraudulent recording or administration, as well as serving filling or transactions at over 200 liters. Pertamina continues to follow this up until now.

In providing a deterrent effect to petrol station entrepreneurs, Pertamina also provides direct sanctions in the form of supply cessation up to petrol station shutdown.

"Thus, this applies to all other petrol stations / SPBNs if they are strongly proven misappropriating subsidized diesel which can harm the state and society. Pertamina will also continue to coordinate intensely with the Indonesian National Police and the TNI to take firm action against irregularities in the distribution of diesel fuel that are not in line with regulations," explained Fajriyah.

As it is known, the subsidized diesel is following Presidential Regulation no. 191 of 2014. The users who are entitled to subsidized diesel for the transportation sector are vehicles with black plates to transport people or goods, vehicles for public services (ambulances, fire engines, garbage collectors), and vehicles with yellow plates. Vehicles that are categorized as entitled to subsidized diesel need to show a verification letter and recommendation from the relevant SKPD.

"Vehicles that transport mining and plantation products with more than six wheels are not vehicles that have the right to use subsidized diesel, so they are expected to use non-subsidized diesel such as Pertamina Dex or Dexlite," explained Fajriyah.

To ensure distribution, Pertamina also monitors the real-time information related to stock and processes through the digitization system at the Pertamina Integrated Command Center (PICC).

Pertamina opens a channel for people who need further information regarding products or complaints in service through Pertamina 135 or Pertamina's official website at www.pertamina.com.

"We urge all people who encounter the subsidized diesel misuse to immediately report it to law enforcement officials or Pertamina through Pertamina's contact service at 135. Let's monitor the subsidized products together so that people who are entitled can enjoy them," stated Fajriyah.**