JAKARTA - Head of the Oil and Natural Gas Upstream Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) Wahyudi Anas caught a truck suspected of abusing subsidized fuel. This happened when BPH Migas supervised the provision and distribution of subsidized and compensated fuel (BBM) at one of the General Fuel Filling Stations (SPBU) in the Lhokseumawe area, Aceh Province, Saturday, January 17.
BPH Migas and PT Pertamina Patra Niaga managed to secure a six-wheeled dump truck that was suspected of having been modified to stockpile subsidized biofuel.
The head of BPH Migas revealed that the truck physically looked like an ordinary freight vehicle. However, when examined in more detail, there was a discrepancy between the vehicle's license plate number and the data on the QR Code used.
"In addition, another smell was smelled in the back of the truck, which was originally admitted by the truck driver to be used for goods. After opening the cover tarp, it turned out that this truck was not transporting goods. There was a 'kempu' or a kind of container for storing fuel. There is a pump and hose that is integrated from the vehicle tank to the tank," said Wahyudi in a statement to the media, Monday, January 19.
Wahyudi said that this finding falls into the category of purchasing 'helicopters that enter and exit gas stations with modifications to the fuel tank with a larger volume.
"If it is totaled, the amount can be very large and detrimental to the country. Thus, the more powerful the suspicion that subsidized fuel is not for consumption itself, but is stored and taken outside the gas station," he added.
BPH Migas also highlighted the negligence of the gas station operator who continued to serve the purchase even though there was a difference between the vehicle license plate number and the data on the QR Code. In addition, it is known that the position of the gas station CCTV is not in accordance with the rules, where the function of CCTV is a tool for surveillance.
"Preventive action is in the form of a mandatory refusal if the vehicle plate does not match the QR Code. If the indication is that it will be misused, automatically we also need preventive steps to refuse. This is the obligation of the gas station," said Wahyudi.
Due to this incident, BPH Migas asked PT Pertamina Patra Niaga to provide education or guidance to the SPBU. The SPBU owner also received direct reprimands from the Head of BPH Migas.
Wahyudi asked for support from all parties to ensure that subsidized fuel and compensation are enjoyed by the people who are entitled to receive it, so that the Government's target for subsidized fuel is really targeted and the right volume for consumers in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 191 of 2014 concerning the Provision, Distribution and Retail Prices of Fuel Oil (BBM).
"Don't let the disparity in the price of subsidized fuel, namely solar for the community and industrial solar, be used to reap personal profits," he said.
If proven guilty, the gas station is threatened with sanctions in accordance with the Head of BPH Migas Decree Number 64 of 2023 concerning Guidelines for the Guidance of Supervisory Results to Distributors in the Distribution of Certain Types of Fuel Oil (JBT) and Special Types of Fuel Oil for Assignment (JBKP).
Member of the BPH Migas Committee Bambang Hermanto also regretted that this incident occurred while Aceh was in the post-disaster recovery phase.
According to him, the government provides relief for the purchase of fuel in disaster-affected areas in Aceh to facilitate mobility to increase community economic activities and the operational recovery of post-disaster infrastructure.
"This (purchase of fuel) is a bit (given) a bit of flexibility because of the emergency response period, but it is used by people who intend to do evil. We ask law enforcement officers to investigate who bought this item," he said.
This finding is also proof that the distribution of subsidized fuel is still widely abused. BPH Migas will continue to increase its role as a regulator that carries out supervisory functions.
"We will follow up on this finding to the authorities and so that it becomes an example for other people because fuel uses state money and must be used according to its provisions," said the man who is usually called Baher.
It is known that the truck does not have a Vehicle Number Plate (STNK) and vehicle police number which only applies until 2019.
This incident received a quick response from the Lhoksemawe Police, where the driver and the gas station operator were brought by the authorities for questioning. Meanwhile, the truck was also detained as evidence.
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