117 People Become Suspects Behind The Scarcity Of Subsidized Fuel

Illustration of fuel hoarding/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, said that he had named 117 suspects behind the shortage of diesel fuel (BBM). The hundreds of suspects were based on 81 cases.

"We report that we have enforced the law against 117 suspects and 81 cases are currently being processed", Listyo said during a cross-sector coordination meeting at the National Police Headquarters, Thursday, April 14.

Based on the results of the preliminary investigation, the modus operandi of the suspects is to use subsidized fuel for industry. They take or buy the fuel from the Public Fuel Filling Station (SPBU).

The reason the suspects did this was because of the high industrial demand. However, there is a high price disparity between subsidized and non-subsidized fuels.

"Because there is a fairly high price disparity, the industry's needs are quite high, so they are trying to take their oil needs from gas stations", said Listyo.

Apart from the enforcement process, Listyo said that based on the results of coordination and checking with the relevant ministries, the availability of subsidized fuel was still safe. In fact, for the next few weeks.

"Then it is related to the issue of fuel scarcity that occurred some time ago. We have also held a coordination meeting with the Ministry of SOEs, together with the President Director, because the fact is that between availability and demand in the field, the stock is greater in reserves and availability, even sufficient for some time to come", said Listyo.