DPR Deputy Speaker Proposes Mandatory QR Code and Vehicle Registration Matching for Subsidised Diesel Buyers

The recommendation was made by Andre during a discussion with Pertamina Patra Niaga West Sumatra officials while monitoring subsidised fuel distribution in Padang on Friday (5 June 2026). According to Andre, checking QR codes alone is insufficient to close loopholes exploited by fuel racketeers and parties suspected of supplying illegal mining operations.

‘Petrol station attendants, aside from checking QR codes, must also match the vehicle registration document with the vehicle number plate. The current modus operandi involves many vehicles possessing more than one number plate. Relying solely on QR codes still leaves exploitable gaps,’ Andre stated in his written release on Friday (5 June 2026).

Andre assessed that petrol station attendants actually already recognise vehicles suspected of conducting illicit fuel resale. Consequently, Andre urged Pertamina to create a firmer operational standard so that suspected vehicles are no longer free to purchase subsidised diesel.

‘We all already know the racketeering vehicles. The people are the same, the cars are the same. If they are suspected, detain them. Petrol station security can secure them while awaiting the nearest police sector to carry out legal proceedings,’ he said.

Andre also proposed formal cooperation between Pertamina, the West Sumatra Regional Police, the provincial government, and district and city governments to strengthen the supervision of subsidised fuel distribution. He argued that every petrol station needs to be encouraged to file police reports against suspected racketeering so that handling does not end merely in the field.

‘If you already know it is a racketeering vehicle, do not give it space anymore. Create an SOP, file a police report, then coordinate with the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the West Sumatra Regional Police. There must be a deterrent effect,’ said the Chairman of the Gerindra Party Regional Board for West Sumatra.

Responding to the proposal, Sales Area Manager Retail West Sumatra of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Fakhri Rizal Hasibuan, stated that in principle Pertamina supports every measure aimed at improving the governance of subsidised fuel distribution. However, because Pertamina acts as the operator, the implementation of mandatory vehicle registration document checks requires a regulatory basis from the regulator, namely BPH Migas.

‘In principle we support it. However, for its implementation, it certainly requires regulation first from BPH Migas. After there is an official rule, we are ready to implement it in the field,’ said Fakhri.

He explained that Pertamina has so far carried out various supervisory measures, ranging from blocking QR codes indicated to be misused, to imposing sanctions and providing guidance to violating petrol stations. The company also conducts joint operations with law enforcement officials and regional governments.

According to Fakhri, supervision is also conducted daily through a CCTV system connected to petrol stations across West Sumatra. All monitoring results are reported periodically to detect indications of violations in subsidised fuel distribution.

‘CCTV monitoring is conducted every day. If there is an indication of a violation, we immediately follow it up. In addition, we have also blocked tens of thousands of QR codes indicated to be misused and provided guidance to 21 petrol stations,’ he said.

Regarding the proposal to increase security personnel at petrol stations, Fakhri said that his party will convey this input to petrol station managers and Hiswana Migas. According to him, security personnel are actually already available at petrol stations, but the strengthening of supervision will continue to be evaluated according to needs in the field.

Meanwhile, Andre confirmed he will bring the proposal for vehicle registration document checks to the national level. He plans to ask Pertamina Patra Niaga to coordinate with BPH Migas and discuss it in a working meeting of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

‘I will ask Pertamina Patra Niaga to immediately coordinate with BPH Migas. In fact, after this I will communicate directly with the board of directors of Pertamina Patra Niaga. We want to close all loopholes for the misuse of subsidised diesel so that the people’s rights are truly protected,’ he concluded.