Bali Subsidised Fuel Misuse Case Leads to Seven Suspects
Denpasar (ANTARA) – Bali Regional Police have named seven suspects in alleged cases involving the stockpiling of subsidised diesel and the sale of Pertalite at inflated prices in several parts of Bali.
“Bali Regional Police and all their units will not tolerate any form of misuse or diversion of government-subsidised fuel. We are taking firm action to protect the rights of people who genuinely need subsidised fuel,” Bali Police public relations chief Senior Commissioner Ariasandy said in Denpasar on Friday.
In the investigations, police seized 300 litres of subsidised diesel allegedly stockpiled in Tabanan, along with evidence related to the sale of Pertalite at inflated prices.
The cases were uncovered by the Bali Police Special Crimes Directorate, working with the criminal investigation units of Denpasar City Police and the Buleleng, Badung and Gianyar police forces.
The first case was uncovered by the Bali Police Special Crimes Directorate in Tabanan regency. Police detained a 64-year-old man identified by the initials IMS, who is suspected of stockpiling 300 litres of subsidised diesel.
The investigation began after a tip-off from the public on Saturday (10 October) at around 12.30am Central Indonesian Time. Officers then took action on vacant land beside petrol station 54.821.04 on Jalan Dr Soekarno, Delod Peken, Tabanan.
The diesel had been stored in several jerrycans and transported in a metallic grey Suzuki Carry ST 100 with registration number DK 1216 GD.
The subsidised fuel was allegedly intended for resale through IMS’s shop to generate personal profit. According to information disclosed during the investigation, the practice is suspected to have been taking place since early 2026.
At the scene, police seized 300 litres of subsidised diesel, a Suzuki Carry ST 100 and 15 jerrycans with a capacity of 35 litres each—10 containing diesel and five empty. Officers also seized three empty 30-litre jerrycans.
Other evidence included a vehicle barcode registered to DK 8187 GC and a recommendation letter for purchasing diesel for agricultural use.
Meanwhile, six other suspects are being handled by the Denpasar City, Buleleng, Badung and Gianyar police forces in cases of alleged misuse and the sale of Pertalite at inflated prices.
The suspects allegedly sold Pertalite in 1.5-litre bottles for between Rp50,000 and Rp100,000 each. They advertised the fuel on Facebook Marketplace and used cash on delivery (COD) for transactions.
In operations across several areas, police seized various items of evidence, including plastic bottles and jerrycans containing fuel, vehicles, cash from sales, a hose, a bag and a mobile phone.
The seized evidence included four 1.5-litre plastic bottles of Pertalite, five full 1.5-litre mineral-water bottles and a 15-litre container holding around four litres of Pertalite.
Police also seized Rp70,000 and Rp750,000 in cash believed to have come from sales, four empty bottles, a Suzuki Carry pick-up truck with registration number DK 8492 PR, a Honda Scoopy motorbike with registration number DK 6610 UBD, and a Suzuki Thunder motorbike with registration number DK 2804 RG.
Other evidence included 13.5 litres of Pertalite in nine 1.5-litre bottles, another bottle containing about 0.3 litres of Pertalite, a two-metre transparent hose, a black bag and a Redmi Note 12 mobile phone.
The relevant provisions carry a maximum prison sentence of six years and a fine of up to Rp60 billion.
Ariasandy urged the public not to misuse government-provided facilities, including fuel-purchase barcodes and recommendation letters for farmers, to obtain illegal personal gain.
He also called on the public to help monitor the distribution of subsidised fuel, particularly by reporting suspected stockpiling or sales that breach regulations.
“We ask for the public’s co-operation. If you find or suspect any stockpiling or diversion of subsidised fuel or gas, report it immediately to the nearest police station or through the police’s official 110 complaints channel,” Ariasandy said.