Mataram Police Name 2 Suspects In Subsidized BBB Abuse Cases For Dam Projects

Solar subsidy in the tank which is evidence of the misuse of subsidized fuel/DOK ANTARA

The Mataram Police, West Nusa Tenggara, has uncovered a case of alleged misuse of subsidized diesel fuel (BBM) for heavy equipment needs in the dam project in Meninting, West Lombok Regency. "From the results of this disclosure, we have raised the status of the handling to the investigation stage by naming two suspects," said Mataram Police Chief Kombes Mustofa in Mataram, Antara, Monday, July 17. The two suspects, he said, had the initials LSF, a resident of Ampenan, Mataram City, and RE from Wanasaba, East Lombok Regency. Investigators named both of them as suspects by applying Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas which was added and amended in paragraph 5 letter b of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Stipulation of Government Regulations in Lieu of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation. "The two suspects have been detained," he said. Mustofa explained that the alleged case of misuse of subsidized fuel that revealed the roles of the two suspects was the result of follow-up information from the public. Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) of the Mataram Police, Kompol I Made Yogi Purusa Utama, also explained that the roles of the two suspects were revealed from the search results at the dam project site. From the search results, Yogi together with a team of certain criminal acts (tipidter) found activities to move fuel from a 5,000-liter tank to a fuel shelter at the project site. "From the interrogation of the tank driver, it was later revealed that this subsidized diesel belonged to the LSF purchased from RE," he said. Following up on this information, the police immediately arrested the two perpetrators in different locations. "For the LSF, arrested in Ampenan and RE in East Lombok," he said. LSF in a statement before investigators admitted that he bought 5,000 liters of subsidized diesel from RE at a price per liter of IDR 8,200.00. "So, this NGO was asked by the company from Surabaya to provide fuel for the needs of project heavy equipment. However, fuel provided with subsidized fuel is not allowed for industrial activities," said Yogi. Regarding the role of RE, he continued, it was revealed as a party that individually collected subsidized fuel for industrial needs. This activity took place in Wanasaba, East Lombok Regency. "For RE, he has a warehouse. So, before being sold, he collected subsidized diesel by buying jerry cans at gas stations. If he has met the quota of 5,000 liters, he will contact the LSF," he said. From the statements of the two suspects, it was also revealed that such activities had been running since March 2023. "They said, this has been going on since March. They have sold it 8 times to the project," he said. By getting this information, Yogi said that his party was still continuing to develop in the field, including companies that asked LSF to provide fuel. "Does he have a stake or not? We are still investigating that from the examination," he said. Regarding the information that mentions the suspect LSF, this former police officer has protection or support from this activity, Yogi emphasized that this does not affect the ongoing legal process.

"In essence, we handle this case in accordance with legal procedures. So, whoever is proven to be involved, we will take firm action legally," he said.