BPH Migas Reveals Misuse of Subsidised Solar QR Codes
The Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) has revealed a method of misusing subsidised diesel purchases through QR codes in the MyPertamina application. The scheme involves buying the daily fuel quota using a valid QR code, even though the registered vehicle is not actually in operation.
BPH Migas Head Wahyudi Anas stated that one QR code for a vehicle with six or more wheels is entitled to a quota of up to 200 litres of diesel per day, in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 191 of 2014. This loophole is exploited by certain parties who consistently take the daily quota despite the truck merely being parked.
“One QR code for a six-wheel vehicle has a quota of 200 litres according to Presidential Regulation Number 191 of 2014. They take the entire quota every day, even though the truck never leaves the city,” Wahyudi said during a press conference at the Parliament Complex on Thursday, 16 July 2026.
According to Wahyudi, BPH Migas and Pertamina Patra Niaga are continuously monitoring suspicious transactions. QR codes for vehicles proven to be misused will be immediately blocked. Furthermore, BPH Migas is cooperating with law enforcement agencies to take action against vehicles that routinely collect subsidised diesel but are not operating as intended.
“We take firm action on findings in the field. Vehicles proven to be hoarding or siphoning fuel by frequently entering and exiting petrol stations are handed over to law enforcement for processing according to the rules and regulations,” he stated.
Yusuf Rendy Manilet, an economist at the Centre of Reform on Economics (CORE) Indonesia, assessed that digitalisation of distribution through QR codes and the MyPertamina application has only improved transaction recording. He argued the system has not yet been able to ensure that subsidised diesel is actually used by entitled parties.
According to Yusuf, the current system only records the buyer’s identity and the volume of fuel taken at the petrol station. Once the fuel leaves the nozzle, there is no monitoring mechanism to ensure the diesel is used for its intended purpose, such as for fishermen, public transport, or other sectors entitled to the subsidy. “Supervision stops at the petrol station, whereas the most vulnerable point is actually after the diesel leaves the nozzle,” he said.
A similar view was expressed by INDEF economist Andry Satrio Nugroho. He believes the root of the problem lies in the subsidy design, which remains attached to the commodity rather than to the beneficiaries. Referring to Presidential Regulation Number 191 of 2014, the right to purchase subsidised diesel is determined by vehicle type. According to Andry, this scheme opens up room for misuse because supervision focuses only on the final distribution point, namely the petrol station.
“As long as the subsidy is attached to the goods, the potential for rent-seeking will always exist,” Andry said. He illustrated that one QR code for a six-wheel vehicle can be used to purchase up to 200 litres of subsidised diesel per day. Given the large price difference with non-subsidised diesel, the misuse of a single barcode could potentially generate profits of more than Rp 1 million per day if the fuel is resold.
On the other hand, businesses in the plantation or mining sectors could save tens of millions of rupiah daily if they gain illegal access to subsidised diesel. “As long as the price gap remains wide and distribution governance is not improved, the incentive to misuse subsidised diesel will persist,” Andry concluded.