Bareskrim Uncovers Misuse of Subsidised LPG in Klaten

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has uncovered a case of subsidised LPG misuse in Klaten Regency, Central Java, as part of efforts to enforce the law on the distribution of subsidised energy that is not reaching its intended targets.

Deputy Head of Bareskrim, Inspector General of Police Nunung Syaifudin, emphasised that such practices directly impact small communities who should benefit from the subsidies.

“The misuse of subsidised goods, in this case LPG or fuel, is not only a betrayal of the state but also a betrayal of the small communities who are entitled to receive these subsidies,” he stated during a press conference in Klaten, reported from Jakarta on Saturday.

Director of Specific Crimes at Bareskrim, Brigadier General of Police M. Irhamni, explained that the case’s revelation began with a public report received on 15 April 2026, which was immediately followed up with an investigation.

“This law enforcement is a follow-up to the public information report we received and was directly followed up with an investigation,” he said.

He stated that the team conducted the operation in the early hours of 28 April 2026 at a warehouse in Wonosari Subdistrict, Klaten, which was used for injecting subsidised LPG.

During the raid, police secured 1,465 LPG cylinders of various sizes, injection equipment, and six operational vehicles used in the illegal activity.

“Gas from subsidised cylinders is transferred to non-subsidised cylinders using certain techniques, then sold at non-subsidised prices to gain profit,” he explained.

Two suspects were arrested, with initials KA (40) as the injector and weigher, and ARP (26) as the transport driver.

According to Irhamni, this revelation also prevents significant potential state losses.

“We have successfully prevented potential state losses of approximately Rp6.7 billion,” he emphasised.

The National Police affirmed their commitment to continue addressing similar practices up to the broader networks, including the financiers.

“We will not stop and will take action up to the financiers and their networks,” he said.

This uncovering reaffirms that the misuse of subsidised LPG not only harms the state’s finances but also hinders low-income communities’ access to subsidised energy.