Police Investigate Misuse Of Subsidized Fuel Ships In Labuan Bajo

Doc: Antara

The Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolairud) of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Police is conducting an investigation into the activity of misuse of subsidized fuel oil (BBM) by one of the phinition ships which is a tourist boat in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency.

"Currently in the process of being investigated by members," said Director of Police of the NTT Police, Kombes Pol. Irwan Defi Nasution in Kupang, Sunday.

This was conveyed when he was confirmed in connection with the arrest case of two people related to the alleged abuse of subsidized fuel.

The two perpetrators arrested were MD, the owner of the ship and also the hospital selling diesel fuel to MD. Both are residents of Bari Village, Macang Boyfriend District, West Manggarai.

The arrests of the two were made aboard the KM.Maheswari GT 109 ship when the Ditpolairud patrol team of the NTT Police KP.XXII-2007 held a routine patrol in the waters of Labuan Bajo on Thursday (16/5).

The patrol team saw suspicious activity so that the team conducted an investigation and it was discovered that MD was carrying out subsidized fuel purchase and transportation activities without a commercial and transportation business license and did not have a recommendation for subsidized fuel filling.

When inspected on the ship, 360 liters of diesel fuel was found filled in 20 jerry cans measuring approximately 18 liters.

After arresting MD, the team then moved quickly to secure the other perpetrators with the initials "RS" who also sold the fuel to the owner of the Maheswari ship at TPI Labuan Bajo.

"The activities carried out by MD and RS have been carried out three times with the aim of personal gain," he said.

Dirpolairud Polda NTT said that the second violated Article 55 of Law No. 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas as amended by Law 6 of 2023 concerning the stipulation of Perpu Number 2 of 2022 concerning Job Creation into Law in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

"Both of them face a maximum prison sentence of six years," he added.