The National Police Unravel The Abuse Of Subsidized Fertilizer, Losing Rp.30 Billion To The State

The National Police's Bareksrim Food Task Force uncovered a case of misuse of subsidized fertilizer in the Tangerang area, Banten./PHOTO: RIZKY ADYTIA-VOI

JAKARTA - The National Police's Bareksrim Food Task Force uncovered a case of misuse of subsidized fertilizer in the Tangerang area, Banten. This case caused state losses of Rp. 30 billion.

"So the state is suspected of facing a loss of Rp. 30 billion," said Deputy Chief of the National Police's Food Task Force Brigadier General Whisnu Hermawan to reporters, Tuesday, January 31.

In this case, two people with the initials AEF and MD were named as suspects. They used the names of farmers who received subsidized fertilizers, armed with the electronic system for the Definitive Plan for Farmers' Group Needs (e-RDKK).

"This suspect committed a crime by falsifying information to those entitled to subsidized fertilizer," said Whisnu.

"But since 2020, farmers who have died, are no longer farming, their names are still listed so that they get subsidized fertilizers," he continued.

After using the names of the farmers, the two suspects also sold subsidized fertilizers to other parties. So, they benefit.

"The price range is quite large, if subsidized fertilizer costs Rp. 2,800, if fertilizer is not subsidized, it costs Rp. 12,000, so this is what they are playing with," said Whisnu.

In this case, the suspects were charged with Article 6 paragraph 1 letter (b) in conjunction with Article 1 sub 3 (e) Emergency Law Number 7 of 1955 concerning Economic Crimes. In addition, Article 263 paragraph 1, 2 of the Criminal Code and Article 2, 3, 5 paragraph 1, 12 B paragraph 1 of Law Number 20/2001 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.

Then, Article 10 of Law Number 8/2010 concerning Prevention and Eradication of the Crime of Money Laundering in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code and Article 56 of the Criminal Code. Where, they face a sentence of six years.

The Food Task Force also confiscated 400 sacks of subsidized urea fertilizer with a total weight of 20 tons, 200 sacks of subsidized phonska fertilizer with a total weight of 10 tons, 30 sacks of subsidized organic fertilizer with a total weight of 1.5 tons, and sales of Rp 8 million for subsidized fertilizer.