DPR member calls for maximum sentence for subsidised fuel fraudsters

Rudianto Lallo, a member of the House of Representatives’ Third Commission, has called on the Balikpapan Public Prosecutor’s Office to seek a firm and maximum sentence for defendants accused of fraud and embezzlement in a diesel business case worth Rp20 billion. The case is currently being heard at the Balikpapan District Court in East Kalimantan. Rudianto stated in Jakarta on Monday that economic crimes involving large losses must be handled seriously to ensure justice and act as a deterrent to offenders. ‘If proven guilty of fraud and embezzlement causing significant losses, the prosecution must seek a sentence that serves as a deterrent,’ he said. He emphasised that strict law enforcement is crucial to maintaining public trust in legal institutions and ensuring legal certainty in business. ‘There must not be an impression that the law is sharp downwards but dull upwards. All must be treated equally before the law,’ he added. In addition to seeking a maximum sentence, he called for a transparent and objective trial process without any special treatment for specific parties. ‘Defendants must also be processed professionally in accordance with applicable laws. Most importantly, such cases should not be treated lightly,’ he said. Previously, the East Kalimantan Regional Police uncovered 22 cases of subsidised fuel abuse in the past 30 days, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects. East Kalimantan Regional Police’s Special Criminal Director, Police Commissioner Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, stated on Thursday (30 April) in Balikpapan that a total of 20,867 litres of subsidised fuel had been seized. The evidence comprised approximately 15,000 litres of Pertalite and over 5,000 litres of solar. ‘This is part of the commitment to enforce the law against misuse of state subsidies,’ he said.